Mbesuma out of Nations Cup

Posted: 2008-01-10 16:30

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Collins Mbesuma has been left out of the Zambian squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Ghana from January 20.

A Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) spokesperson, Joseph Nkole, said coach Patrick Phiri had decided to omit Mbesuma from his squad after it was established that the bulky striker did not meet the required fitness levels.

Mbesuma becomes the third high-profiled player to be ruled out of the Zambian team after Germany-based duo Andrew Sinkala and Moses Sichone were sidelined from the team after being certified unfit to play.

Nkole said Mbesuma was also left out of the team that traveled to Morocco for a friendly against the Atlas Lions. He said, however, that Zambia still had players to represent the country well in Ghana.

“Zambia has a lot of players and we shall soon find a replacement for Mbesuma,” Nkole said.

The former Roan United, Portsmouth and Maritimo hit-man joined the team in Tunisia on Sunday and played in the friendly against the North Africans later in day, but his performance was not satisfactory.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mike Poto, defenders Davies Nkausu and Elijah Tana, yesterday joined the national team in Paris, France.

Team manager, Solly Pandor, confirmed in a telephone interview from Paris yesterday that the trio joined the Chipolopolo at the airport.

“We met them [the three players] at the airport when we were coming from Tunisia. We are happy and morale is high in camp,” Pandor said.

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Recent Comments: 3

Botsotsbo: 2008-01-10 20:22

What makes him special? The best strikers were left out, like mccathy, so what makes colins different

Maambo: 2008-01-11 11:49

i xpect zambia to struggle in the first game but will stabalise in the 2nd and 3rd games with the likes of Katongo Chris and Isaac Chansa back in the team after suspension. go zambia go. chipolopolo

Bonaventure: 2008-01-13 11:19

The decision must have been made in Zambia. The coach has now learnt the importance of summoning players to come home for camp instead of assuming that the player is in tip-top form. S.A did it by summoning Steve Pieanar something which we could have done.
We will take care of Sudan because players will be proving themselves. I commend the team doctor for his analysis. FAZ mus appoint agents to monitor players abroad if they have no time to access the web(which is easy and honest). There a a lot who can do this freely for the love of our motherland.
Chipolopolo iyee!!!! Go boys go!!!!!