Chipolopolo interim coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina has begun the process of shaping his Africa Cup of Nations qualifying squad with a local-based camp, but admits he will have only a matter of days to work with his strongest group before Zambia’s crucial September fixtures.
Lwandamina has summoned 28 local players for the initial camp at Nkoloma Stadium as he prepares for back-to-back Group I qualifiers against Algeria and Togo.
The biggest challenge facing the coach is the late arrival of Zambia’s foreign-based players, who will only join the squad when the FIFA international window opens on 21 September.
That leaves Lwandamina with a short period to integrate the overseas-based contingent before Zambia travel to Algeria on 25 September.
“We don’t know which ones will come from abroad. So, we have to start with these. So that’s the chance they have, this is an initial one (camp),” Lwandamina said after Friday’s training session.
The interim coach says the current camp is therefore about more than simply keeping players fit. He wants to identify those capable of adapting quickly when the squad is eventually brought together.
“As you may be aware, foreign-based players can only come a few days before the games. So, we have to play and train with the locals, hoping one or two or three will make it to the final one,” he said.
The local group includes players who featured in the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana and those involved in Zambia’s recent international friendly against Argentina.
Lwandamina says his technical team is also closely monitoring the performances of Zambian players abroad before the final squad is selected.
“We are following what is happening and we followed what they have been doing. You will see the squad which will be announced,” he said.
The former ZESCO United coach believes the competition between locally based players and their overseas counterparts could ultimately benefit the national team.
“They are all Zambians. It is good for the country. If there is that competition in the team, then you have a team. If players can fight, then you have a team,” he said.
Lwandamina’s immediate task is to make the most of the limited preparation time available. Zambia face Algeria away on 25 September before hosting Togo in Ndola four days later.
With the foreign-based players arriving only days before the first qualifier, the local camp could prove crucial in determining which players are ready to step into the final squad and compete for places.
The Chipolopolo’s AFCON qualifying campaign will begin in Algeria, with Lwandamina hoping his early preparations can give Zambia a head start before the full squad comes together.
