FAZ names 19 coaches

CHISHALA MUSONDA reports:

REALISING the need to broaden the national team player selection base, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has named 19 coaches to pick the Copperbelt and Midlands select sides as a squad's player pool. 

And a possible friendly encounter is being arranged between for Lusaka later this month.

Former national team and Nkana coach, Patrick Phiri will head the Copperbelt side and will be assisted by Wesley Mondo of Zesco United while Super Division defending champions Zanaco's Fighton Simukonda will lead the team from the Midlands and will be assisted by Alfred Lupiya of National Assembly. 

To help Phiri in selecting players from the Copperbelt will be Dean Mwiinde (Konkola Blades), Linos Makwaza (Power) Dynamos), John Lungu (Nchanga Rangers), Dickson Makwaza (Roan United), Ikwanga Tana (Mufulira Blackpool), Keith Mwaba (Medical Stars), Ventor Chikolwa (Ndola United) and Beston Chambeshi (unattached). 

Others coaches in the Midlands are Kabwe Warriors' Levy Chabala, Fred Nasilele (Red Arrows), Chris Mwaba (Nkwazi), Weston Mumba (Lusaka Dynamos), Teddy Ngosa (Chilanga Heroes), Boniface Simutowe (Profund Warriors) and Lusaka City Council's Sydney Mambwe. 

FAZ technical sub-committee chairman, Henschel Chitembeya, said in Ndola yesterday that the initial programme for the Copperbelt and the Midlands would also be extended to other provinces. 

Chitembeya said the coaches would be required to pick players from teams in all the divisions.

He said May 28 is the tentative date set for the match between the Copperbelt Select and Midlands Select in Lusaka.

"We have realised that the net for selecting players to the national team is not that wide and we hope they (coaches) can come up with best possible teams," Chitembeya said. 

He said another possible game for the players' selection to involve other provinces would be arranged soon.