Sundowns hold Chipolopolo in practice match

Zambia wrapped up the final week of CHAN preparations in Johannesburg with coach George Lwandamina declaring the Chipolopolo near battle ready as the team battled PSL side Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 at Chloorkop.

Prior to kickoff, Lwandamina demanded hard work, positive attitudes and for his squad to rise above the pain barrier. At the final whistle, Lwandamina and his staff were left with a luxury he has long demanded since the Johannesburg camp commenced: the headache every coach desires – competitive players, good form, injury free, flowing beautiful football and creation of clear-cut scoring chances which he must now work to transform into goals and sustain into the CHAN final tournament.

Skipper Chris Katongo shone, Isaac Chansa was industrious and creative , Spencer Sautu was a bull-dozing hard worker while the backlines of two sides he used either side of half gave assurances of solidity at the back. Benson Sakala, Patson Daka and Conlyde Luchanga all had very good outings and chances to score. But as Christopher Munthali, Stephen Kabamba and Luchanga, none could beat goalkeepers Kennedy Mweene or Wayne Sandilands, leaving Lwandamina and his staff with notes on how to transform attack and chances into goals.

Goalkeepers Jacob Banda and Racha Kola were hardly tested by Sundowns strike force of Teko Modise, Anthony Laffor, Katlego Mashego, Surprise Moriri or indeed substitutes Siyanda Zwane, Fiston Abdul and Khaya Shozi.

Overall, every member of the 23 man squad will stake a claim for starting places when Zambia opens her CHAN account against Zimbabwe on 19 January in Rubavu.

“We are now at 80% to 90% of our preparations. The remainder of that is what we will do in the few days before kick-off and before we finally declare the squad ready,” Lwandamina said at the end of the match.

“We are solid. I’m happy with how we are pressing and closing gaps. The essence of these training games like I’ve consistently said is not so much the score line but looking at how much we have progressed with our preparations. We are creating chances and in the first half alone, we had eight clear chances to score, more than we created in one-half alone in our 2-1 Ober Angola. Now we have to work at translating those chances into goals. We are solid all round and am sure we will be ready and very competitive,” Lwandamina added.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hailed the hard work of the Zambian team and wished Chipolopolo well in Rwanda.

“You have a good side here. Lots of young players but talented and being inspired by the good work and experience of the guys like Chris and Isaac. You should do well there and wish you all the best,” Mosimane said as he ended exchanging notes with Lwandamina.

Skipper Katongo expressed confidence the team had progressed well and called on Zambian fans to back the boys to succeed.

“We are at 90% and have done lots of work. What remains now is the 10% which is the tactical part. Otherwise, we are set and appeal to the fans to support us because we are going out there to perform and make them proud,” the 2012 AFCON winning skipper said.

Chipolopolo fly out of Johannesburg tomorrow morning.

[FAZ]