3 Zambian U-23 Players Join Ghana-Bound Squad

THREE Green Buffaloes players who featured for their side in Saturday's CAF Confederations Cup yesterday joined the under-23 national team preparing for this weekend's Athens Olympic qualifier in Ghana.

Under-23 team manager, Lusekelo Kamwambi said in Lusaka that the three, defender Patrick Masosa and midfielders Noel Mwandila and Chris Katongo were already in camp and that Zanaco midfielders of Sipho Mumbi and Newa Mwewa were also expected to join the team.

Zanaco were yesterday engaged in a CAF Champions league match with Simba Stars of Tanzania.

He added that Sweden-based defender, Edwin Phiri who campaigns for Orgryte and striker Francis Kombe of Silver Stars in South Africa were expected to join the team today.

The junior 'Chipolopolo' boys are scheduled to leave for South Africa tomorrow where they will camp before flying to Ghana on Thursday.

"All the three Buffaloes players who were called to camp have reported and we are just waiting for players from Zanaco to complete the list of locals.

"We are expecting professionals Francis Kombe and Edwin Phiri to join us by tomorrow (today)," Kamwambi said.

And team doctor, Emmanuel Mwamba said striker Collins Mbesuma of South Africa's Kaiser Chiefs who missed the Algeria game three weeks ago after he was said to have over-stretched the ligaments in his right ankle, might be part of the team travelling to Ghana.

Mwamba said he was still waiting for a report from Chiefs doctors before he could confirm whether Mbesuma would make the team travelling to Ghana.

The former Roan United player was given at least two-weeks to fully recover before he could return to the pitch after he sustained an injury during a league match with Golden Arrows about three weeks ago.

Mwamba said he was informed that Mbesuma's injury was not very serious as there was no bone fracture after he collided with Arrows' goalkeeper a minute after scoring a goal for Chiefs.

Group D leaders Zambia, on 10 points together with Ghana must avoid defeat in Kumasi on Sunday to qualify for the Olympics in Greece this August, while Algeria with six points will be hosting South Africa who have three points in the group's other fixture.