With only but a couple of unplayed remaining in the tightly contested 15s league in Zambia, the 7s league kicks off this Saturday 28th July, 2018 at the Konkola 7s taking place in the border town of Chililabombwe.

Speaking in an interview, Zambian Rugby blogger Tom Chaloba said “The tournament code named Oj 7s is held in honor of former player and coach Owen Busange. Owen who started his playing career at Konkola Rugby Club became a rugby sensation and fans favourite. He went on to play for other clubs namely, Nchanga Rugby Club, Chambishi Rugby Club, Green Buffaloes Rugby Club and Lusaka Rugby Club on the local scene”.

On the international scene, Owen had a stint at Raiders Rugby Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. After his playing career was cut short due to injury, he ventured into coaching where he recorded massive success both for club and country. He was appointed coach for Lusaka Rugby Club where he worked tirelessly to restore the status and fortunes of the club, Chaloba mentioned.

Upon noticing his work ethic, the Zambia Rugby Union Executive appointed him Assistant Coach of the National 7s Team under Head Coach Musa Zimba and they built a strong team that took part and successfully won medals in different tournaments. When Coach Zimba stepped down, it was only natural that Owen took over the reins which held on to till he met his untimely death in a road traffic accident while coming from a rugby tournament in Kitwe.

This year’s Oj 7s tourney has attracted all but two teams in the Zambia Rugby Union set up.

FAZ

The Football Association of Zambia disciplinary committee have punished Nkana FC and Power Dynamos who will have to play their next home matches behind closed doors for their fans unruly behavior after pulling down parts of their rivals perimeter fences surrounding the pitch during both 2018 edition Kitwe Derbies.

The two clubs have also been handed fines with Nkana FC handed a K15,000 fine for their fans pulling down part of the wire fence at Arthur Davies Stadium during the second leg of the Kitwe Derby which ended as a 2-2 draw on the 7th of July 2018 while Power Dynamos have been fined K23,017 for their fans pulling down a section of the fence at Nkana Stadium during the first leg of the Derby on the 20th of May 2018 which saw Power Dynamos win 2-1.

Nkana will play its next home match on the weekend of the 4th of August behind closed doors while Power Dynamos next home match against Lumwana Radiants on the same weekend will also be played behind closed doors.

The Zambia Rugby Union has partnered with the Bhubesi Pride Foundation to introduce Refereeing and Coaching Courses to Teachers and Community members in Kabwe and surrounding areas in a bid to empower stakeholders involved in the game.

The 4 day courses will start on Tuesday 31st July, to 3rd August, 2018 at Green Eagles Rugby Club in Kabwe and has attracted Teachers from 3 Secondary Schools, 5 Primary Schools and 7 Private Schools, not forgetting 3 Orphanages. The participants will be taught the basics in preparation for kids Coaching and Tournament day on Friday 11th August at the same venue.

Event organizer who is also Get Into Rugby Zambia Project Manager Tom Chaloba expressed happiness with the progress being recorded by the game of rugby in recent months. “Our game has been on an upward trend in terms of growth and publicity, this can be attributed to the good working relationship with line personnel such as Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth & Sports and the hard working media personalities from radio, television and print outlets” he said.

Chaloba implored all members of the public who are involved or are willing to get involved in rugby to contact the Union for guidance and direction on setting up structures. He said, “The Zambia Rugby Union has made a deliberate strategy of growing the game by empowering people who are working with the grassroots such as Teachers and Community volunteers. To this effect, we want to salute all our rugby volunteers for their dedication and passion beyond the call of duty, our success is incomplete without the volunteers”.

After the training courses, the trainees will watch an International no-contact Rugby Match between the Bhubesi Pride crew versus Kabwe Schools Rugby Team on Saturday 4th August, 2018. “We want to give our kids something to look forward to, so this international game is meant to wet their appetite for National Team call ups in the near future” Chaloba added.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has begun the process of establishing a football league system that will run as an independent body from Football House.

The Zambian Super League and lower divisions have always been run by the country’s soccer governing body but FAZ president Andrew Kamanga announced today that steps are being taken to separate the two entities so that they can run independently.

Kamanga says it is part of his vision for Zambian football that the country can have a strong and sound football league system that will be professionally run separately from FAZ with its own secretariat.

And the FAZ chief says the association is looking at introducing District and Provincial leagues as a way of casting the net wider than the traditional ‘Line of Rail’ concentration.

Kamanga disclosed this in a statement below posted on his Facebook page.

Our Foundation is solid, our vision is attainable and the game of soccer is headed for greater heights in the coming years. I ran for the office of FAZ president on a vision of developing the sport that we all love. I shared the score acronym which highlighted my priority for the game.

Today i want to zero in on the first letter;

S-Structure of the League

For Zambian football to attain any height at all, we must have a strong and sound football league system that will run separately from the FA.

To that effect, we have started the process of de-linking the running of the league from FAZ and the re introduction of youth developmental teams.

We should be introducing the Zambian School league as a way of tapping talent from a tender age.

We are looking at introducing District and Provincial leagues as a way of casting the net wider than the traditional ‘Line of Rail’ concentration. This will culminate into us having developmental District and Provincial Teams from under 11 years for both male and female.

The league will be professionally run separate from FAZ with its own secretariat.

Kitwe giants Nkana FC have unveiled Tanzania international right back Hassan Kessy, experienced goalkeeper Allan Chibwe and midfielder Bwalya Kasonde as the clubs newest signings.

The trio were unveiled today at Nkana Stadium ahead of the clubs match against Napsa Stars on Saturday the 4th of August 2018.

Goalkeeper Alan Chibwe joins the 12-time Zambian champions on a free transfer after his contract with bitter rivals Power Dynamos ran out, while Hassan who is the first choice right back for Tanzania also joins ‘Aba Red’ after his contract ran out at Tanzanian Giants and Nkana had to race against time to sign him before the Zambian transfer window closed on July 31. Nchanga Rangers captain and midfielder Bwalya Kasonde joins after more than three years at the Chingola based side.

All three players have been given squad numbers with Chibwe getting shirt number 32 while Hassan gets shirt number 22 and Bwalya will wear shirt number 12.

Zesco United return to local league action against Lusaka giants Zanaco as the MTN/FAZ Super League enters week 27 this weekend.

And NAPSA Stars push for survival continues as they visit in-form Nkana in Wusakili this afternoon.

Zanaco, fresh from losing 4-2 at home to Nkana last weekend, will be hoping to recover and conquer the defending champions who are equally looking for recovery from the dramatic CAF Champions League loss to Angola’s Agosto.

Zesco sit atop the league standings with 58 points, while Zanaco are in sixth position with 44 points.

In Choma, impressive third placed Green Eagles will be looking for another win over equally impressive Kitwe United.

Relegation battlers National Assembly host fellow strugglers New Monze Swallows.

Inconsistent Lusaka Dynamos will be looking to rebound from the 2-1 defeat to Green Buffaloes when they host strugglers Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy.

Relegation-threatened Nchanga Rangers begins life without influential captain Bwalya Kasonde who has trekked to Nkana when they host Patrick Phiri’s Nakambala Leopards.

The last game of the day sees police outfit Nkwazi in battle against ZAF outfit Red Arrows.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

SATURDAY

04/08/18

13:00 Buildcon Vs Kabwe Warriors
(Levy Mwanawasa Stadium-Live on SuperSport)

15:00 Zesco United Vs Zanaco
(Levy Mwanawasa Stadium-Live on SuperSport)

15:00 Nkwazi Vs Red Arrows
(Edwin Imboela Stadium)

15:00 Nchanga Rangers Vs Nakambala Leopards
(Nchanga Stadium)

15:00 Nkana Vs Napsa Stars
(Nkana Stadium)

15:00 Green Eagles Vs Kitwe United
(Independence Stadium)

15:00 National Assembly Vs New Monze Swallows
(Woodlands Stadium)

15:00 Lusaka Dynamos Vs Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy
(Sunset Stadium)

SUNDAY
05/08/18

15:00 Forest Rangers Vs Green Buffaloes
(Levy Mwanawasa Stadium-Live on SuperSport)

MONDAY
06/08/18

15:00 Power Dynamos Vs Lumwana Radiants
(Arthur Davies Stadium-Live on SuperSport)

Sven Vandenbroek

Zambia Men’s national team head coach, Sven Vandenbroek has named a 29-man squad ahead of the Lusaka camping.

The Chipolopolo will be in camp from August 6 to 8, 2018.

Match day two of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kicks off next month.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco FC), Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi FC), Mangani Banda (Zanaco FC)

Defenders

Gideon Sichone (Green Buffalos), Jimmy Chisenga (Red Arrows FC), Simone Silwimba (Zesco United FC) Isaac Shamujompa (Buildcon FC), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars FC) Adrian Chama (Green Buffalos), Mwila Phiri (Lusaka Dynamos), Lawrence Chungu(Buildcon FC)

Midfielders

George Simbayambaya (Red Arrows), Henry Besa (National Assembly) Ceasor Hakaluba(Green Eagles) Clement Mundia (Kabwe Warriors FC), Jacob Ngulube (Nkana FC) Webster Muzazu(Forest Rangers FC), George Chaloba (National Assembly FC), Collins Sikombe(Napsa Stars ), John Chingandu(Zesco FC),Evans Mwanza(National Assembly)

Wingers

Ernest Mbewe (Zanaco FC), Chisala Harrison (Nkana FC), Spencer Sautu(Green Eagles), Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows),

Strikers
Lazarous Kambole (Zesco United FC), Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows FC), Thomas Banda(Napsa Stars), Tapson Kaseba(Green Eagles)

Another Zambian top referee Gladys Lengwe is breaking new grounds by officiating at the France 2018 Under-20 FIFA World Cup.

Lengwe has scored another first for Zambian female referees after having been part of the 2017 FIFA World Cup at U-17 level in India.

She has already handled a top of the bill clash between Japan and the United States of America with former winning 1-0.
FIFA referee Janny Sikazwe was in the limelight at the just ended FIFA World Cup where he took part becoming the first Zambian referee to officiate at the men’s tournament.

Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) patron Peter Makembo says national team coach Sven Vandenbroeck should consider using experienced players for next month’s crucial 2019 Cameroon Africa Cup qualifier against Namibia because he does not have enough time to start rebuilding a new team.

Makembo, who watched the Chipolopolo’s training session at Barca Academy in Lusaka yesterday, said Vandenbroeck should consider players like former national team skipper Rainford Kabala, Kabaso Chongo, Nathan Sinkala and Evans Kangwa because experimenting in next month’s match could prove costly.

“We really appreciate the effort the new coach is making in identifying new players but in as much as he is doing well, we don’t have enough time because we have less than a month before that important game.

Meanwhile, Coach Vandenbroek has closed his third training camp for local players in Lusaka as he nears naming his provisional squad for forthcoming national assignments.

The 27 players had their final session at National Heroes Stadium with physical trainer Chintu Kampamba and goalkeepre coach Stephen Mwansa hard at work under the watchful eye of the Belgian.

Vandenbroek has been monitoring the local league and has made various call ups mixing youth and experience.

The Chipolopolo trainer has been bringing the players and trainers in sync with his philosophy with foreign based players next on his watch list.

Zambia engages Namibia in Windhoek on September 7 with a home encounter against Guinea Bissau on October 10.

The rest of Africa Cup of Nations engagements will have Zambia travelling to Guinea on October 13 before heading to Mozambique on November 16.

A final home match against Namibia on March 16 will close the qualifiers for the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The long-awaited and highly anticipated Bhubesi Pride Foundation / DieHardRugby Academy schools rugby tournament set for Friday 10th August, 2018 at Green Eagles Rugby Club in Kabwe, Zambia.

Tournament organiser and Get Into Rugby Zambia project manager Tom Chaloba named the participating teams as:

1. Robert Shitima School

2. Sables Nua Centre

3. Arteco Orphanage Centre

4. Mine Secondary School

5. Green Eagles Youth Academy.

In an interview, Mr Tom Chaloba said, “Our continued partnership between Get Into Rugby Zambia and the Bhubesi Pride Foundation stems back to 2016 when they first came to Kabwe, back then they worked with young girls and boys from RoseHill Private School, Broadway Secondary School, Mildah Christian Academy, Jack and Jill School and Sables Orphanage Centre”

“We have deliberately made the decision to spread the participants across most, if not all, schools in the town because our target is to ensure as many young girls and boys come into contact with the rugby ball as possible, he said.

The tournament which has attracted 50 kids aged between 09 to 14 years old from each of the 5 locations will kick off at 08 am and is set to end at 1pm in the afternoon. The local radio stations in Kabwe havebeen working with the odganisers in a bid to generate the much needed interest among the local residents.

“As a bonus to the fans, we have asked the u16 rugby players from DieHardRugby Academy to play a contact rugby game against their opponents from Sables Nua Centre as they initiate preparations for the forthcoming National Youth Rugby Festival” Chaloba concluded.

Kalusha Bwalya

World soccer governing body FIFA has with immediate effect banned Kalusha Bwalya for two years from all football-related activities at both national and international level.

This was after the The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee found the Zambian football legend guilty of receiving bribes from disgraced former FIFA official Mohammed bin Hammam.

According to a statement posted on the FIFA website, the executive committee member and former FAZ president violated article 16 (Confidentiality) and article 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

Bwalya has also been slapped with a CHF100,000 (US$100,000) fine and the decision by FIFA has since been communicated to him.

“The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has banned Kalusha Bwalya, member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), for two years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level,” reads the statement.

“The investigation against Mr Bwalya was opened on 28 February 2017, and focused principally on benefits that Mr Bwalya had received from Mr Bin Hammam.

“The adjudicatory chamber found Mr Bwalya guilty of having violated art. 16 (Confidentiality) and art. 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) of the FIFA Code of Ethics. A fine in the amount of CHF 100,000 was also imposed on Mr Bwalya.

“The decision was notified to Mr Bwalya today, and the ban comes into force immediately.”

Bwalya allegedly received two bribes from Bin Hammam of $50,000 in 2009 and $30,000 in 2011 to support his candidacy for the FIFA presidency and Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

The 1988 African Footballer of the Year becomes the second CAF executive committee member to fall inside two months.

His ban comes after former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyatakyi was exposed in a video by an undercover journalist taking cash in a bag as a gift payment, leading to his subesquent ban by FIFA.

Kalusha Bwalya

Kalusha Bwalya has vowed to “fight tooth and nail” to prove his innocence in the wake of the ban and hefty fine slapped on him by FIFA.

The world football governing body has handed Bwalya a two year ban from all football-related activities and a US$100,000 fine for accepting bribes from former Asian football chief Mohammed bin Hammam.

The CAF executive committee member was among a host of African football officials caught in the storm of Bin Hammam’s bribery allegations a few years ago.

Today, FIFA announced that the adjudicatory chamber of the independent ethics committee has found Bwalya guilty of violating the ethics code by accepting improper payments totaling $80 000 from Bin Hammam in 2009 and 2011 for Faz and personal expenditure.

But the 1988 African Footballer of the Year is not about to take FIFA’s decision lying down, saying he will immediately appeal because the decision is not final.

“I am surprised and saddened by today’s receipt of the notification from the FIFA Ethics Committee adjudication,” Bwalya said in a statement.

“I have instructed my legal team to immediately appeal this decision urgently and would like to state that I am NOT guilty of any offence, which allegedly took place.”

He protested his innocence, saying “I have never done and will never do anything to bring the beautiful game into disrepute and stand by the facts provided by me to the committee.

“I unfortunately cannot provide any further details as my legal team has advised I that this would jeopardize my chances of obtaining leave to appeal.

“FIFAs decision is not final and I will fight tooth and nail for justice to clear my name.”

The former FAZ president then thanked his fans for their on-going support.

Celtic duo have been signed by a Swedish side

Kafue Celtic’s Pumulo Siwanga and Justin Daka join Eskilstuna City on loan for the rest of the year.
The two Kafue Celtics stars have pledged to “prove what they can do” after joining 2nd Division Swedish side Eskilstuna on loan for the rest of the year.
The duo was unveiled to the media on Tuesday after the Swedish club announced they had reached an agreement for their temporary transfers.
Pumulo, striker who was Celtics top scorer before leaving on loan, is eager to earn regular playing time and said: “I just want to say that I’m very happy and that this is an opportunity for me to show can I do. I’m very excited.”
“I’ve heard great things about this club and what they expect from me. The most important thing is my development and that is why I’m here.” said Justin.

Chipolopolo sharp shooter Patson Daka scored the first goal of the match and was named man-of-the-match in Red Bull Salzburg’s 2-0 win over Austria Wien on Saturday.

Zambian stars shone in various leagues across the globe with Red bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka topping the list with a man of the match performance in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Daka capped his performance with a wonder strike in his side’s 2-0 win over Austria Wien.

His compatriot Enock Mwepu was a late introduction in the 82nd minute to cap fine day for the two exports to Austria.

Elsewhere French Ligue2 outfit had Zambian defender Stoppilla Sunzu featured for 90 minutes as FC Metz recorded a 2-1 away win over Clermont.
Table topping Metz has won their opening three matches of the 2018/19 season.

In South Africa Augustine Mulenga and Justin Shonga were on the losing end of the tie as SuperSport United that featured Zambian teenager Gamphani Lungu won 3-4 on post-match penalties in the MTN Top 8 championship.

Mulenga had put Pirates ahead in the first half but turned villain with a missed penalty late in the second half.
His compatriot Shonga sparkled for some spells but was not on target.

SuperSport’s Lungu who was signed from Power Dynamos played at right back with his colleagues waxing lyrical about his performance.

Chipolopolo skipper Kennedy Mweene put in a 90 minutes shift as Mamelodi Sundowns booked an MTN Top 8 spot after a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows.

More Chipolopolo stars will be action today with Emmanuel Banda and Fashion Sakala’s KV Oostende in action at home to Genk while Edward Chilufya’s Djurgardens take on BK Hacken.

Chipolopolo coach Sven Vandenbroek is keeping tabs on foreign based players and is currently in Europe tracking their progress.

Zambia plays Namibia on September 8 in Windhoek in the 2018 Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Former Zambian Football Association president and 1988 footballer of the year Kalusha Bwalya is wasting time appealing his two year ban and $100,000 fine for corruption by the world football body FIFA as it is very clear that he is guilty of all the charges leveled against him and won’t win his appeal.

It must be noted that the investigation has been ongoing for a long time, since the vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids that was won by Russia and Qatar respectively, also that high intelligence agents have been involved in it including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since it cost the United States a chance to host the showpiece and all evidence has been availed to FIFA hence the decision to finally ban and fine Kalusha.

Secondly, their was prima admittance by Kalusha to have both solicited and received the said amounts in two batches, a $30,000 and $50,000 between 2009 and 2011 when the allegations were first raised. Initially, he lied that the funds he was soliciting were for the Football Association of Zambia but investigations and a leak of his emails by the the Sunday Mail & Times Newspaper in U.K revealed that the monies were sent into his personal account (Check on the photos). A check in the financial statements at FAZ showed non reflection of the funds in question.

Thirdly, there was a promise by Kalu to pay the money back in future in one of his emails. These first payments took place at the time Bin Hamman was leading the Qatari World Cup bid and Kalu was president of FAZ, a voter on behalf the association for the same. The second was when Bin Hamman was vying for the Football Association top job and Kalu still held the voting right for Zambia.

To connect all dots it is very clear that Kalu was paid that money in his personal capacity since there was no reflections of the same in the financial statements for the year ending 2009 and 2011. Kalu abused his position as association president to solicit personal funds using the national association’s name which is a crime. The fact that Bwalya got the first amount at a time when there was to be voting for a World Cup host clearly spells a vote buy, and the second when the payer was vying for a position and Kalu had the voting right as president tells the same story of a corrupt vote.

All these said leave Kalusha vividly guilty, and instead of trying to act righteous by giving statements in defense of his corrupt activities by telling the public that his legal team will commence the process to appeal his ban and fine, he should shut up and concentrate on raising money to pay the $100,000 fine slapped on him. Gone are the days when we thought he was clean as his 8 year reign as FA boss was marred by financial scandals ranging from shoddy sponsorship deals, non remittance of appearance fees for friendly matches and illegal issuances of Transfer certificates for players without the consent of parent clubs.

It’s over Kalu, It’s over!! The world can now see you for what you really are, a corrupt and dishonest man.

Mbanga, Irvine Ilukui.
Fayetteville, Arkansas.
United States of America.

The reported money given to soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya was not a bribe but a debt, his confident has said.

The world football governing body has handed Bwalya a two year ban from all football-related activities and a US$100,000 fine for accepting bribes from former Asian football chief Mohammed bin Hammam.

The CAF executive committee member was among a host of African football officials caught in the storm of Bin Hammam’s bribery allegations a few years ago.

But Kalusha’s confident Mwamba Peni 11 says the money was debt.

“A debt is not a bribe. And an ethical committee, appointed by a conflicted person, is not a court of Law. Americans are just bad losers who hacked the emails of those they suspected didn’t support their bid just to remove Blatter from Fifa.

The email was very clear, it was a debt from a longtime friend. Kalu is just a victim of a move meant to kick Blatter out of Fifa. To Kalu, we shall stand by you because you are our greatest hero,” wrote Peni II on his facebook page.

Chipolopolo striker Patson Daka came on off the Red Bull Salzburg bench to play the last 15 minutes of their 1-0 UEFA Champions League qualifying win over Macedonian outfit KF Shkendija Tetovo.

The Austrian champions have advanced to the playoffs of the 2018/19 season of Europe’s premier competition having won the two-legged tie 4-0 on aggregate.

Daka, who is a UEFA U19 Champions League winner with Salzburg in the 2017 season has been making steady progress in the Austrian Bundesliga where he picked up the league title with compatriot Enock Mwepu last season.

The 2017/18 CAF Young Player of the Year came on as a 75th substitute with his side leading 1-0 courtesy of Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino.

His compatriot Mwepu was an unused substitute.
Mwepu and Daka debuted in the UEFA Champions League on August 8 with second half appearances as their team beat Macedonia side Shkendija 3-0.

Salzburg will now play Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade away on August 22 before hosting the Serbs a week later.

The six play-off winners will join the 26 automatic entrants in the UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday 30 August.

Elsewhere, Stoppilla Sunzu continued putting in a full shift for his French Ligue2 side FC Metz that beat Grenoble Foot 38 1-0 at home.

Metz made it three wins in as much games to maintain top position.

The 2nd edition of the Two (02) day Zambia International Rugby 7s tournament will take place on Saturday 01 to 02 September 201 at the Lusaka Polo Club in the Showgrounds right in the centre of Lusaka, Zambia.

The hosts Zambia are entering 2 teams in the tournament, with the first team being Zambia A and the second team Zambia B while the international teams expected this year are LESOTHO, MALAWI, BOTSWANA, ZIMBABWE, BLUE BULLS, SHARKS, GRIQUAS, BARBARIANS and the SPARTANS from NAMIBIA. The tournament kicks off at 09hrs with tickets pegged at k100.00 for adults and k50.00 for children valid for both days.

The tournament is bigger than last year with more international teams participating and lots of fun activities lined up including a play park for kids and an R&G after party on Day One. The Zambia Rugby Union President Gen Clement Sinkamba said his executive along with their partners R&G SPORTS MANAGEMENT are pleased to welcome the BLUE BULLS RUGBY UNION President Willem Strauss to this prestigious tournament which is still in its infancy but is already attracting high ranking sports personalities. Gen Sinkamba further added that the coming in of Lesotho, Malawi, Spartans, Griqua Barbarians and The Sharks Academy is an indication that Zambia was on the right track.

Former Zambia Sevens Development Coach Tom Chaloba also added his delight with the number of young ruggers who have been called into residential camp. “It is gratifying to see boys from the developmental team bringing some competition to the seasoned and more experienced players. This is good in the sense that each and every one of them will push in their very best so as to retain or get a place in the teams to be announced by the coaches. I’m sure the technical bench led by veteran sevens icon Andrew Kaminsa will do everything possible to bring a smile on the faces of the expectant local fans”

Zambia Sevens beat Zimbabwe Sables at the inaugural tournament played at the Lusaka Polocrosses Club in 2017 and are hoping to retain the trophy. Let the games begin!!!

Mbabane Swallows 0-3 Zesco United

Lazarus Kambole scored a sensational hat-trick in a space of five minutes as Zesco United revived their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the 2018 CAF Champions League with a 3-0 away win over Mbabane Swallows in Maznini on Saturday.

Winless Zesco were under pressure going into the penultimate match of this season’s group stage, needing no less than three points to have any realistic shot at making it to the quarterfinals.

The Ndola giants were bottom of the table on two points, having registered two defeats and two draws.

After a quiet opening quarter hour, Swallows created the first clear chance as Niger midfielder Quadri Aladeokun found himself in space on the edge of the box and let fly with a low shot which was well saved by Jacob Banda.

The Swazi side had another good opportunity just past the half-hour mark, as Njabulo Ndlovu was left unmarked at a corner kick, but he put his header wide of the far post.

Zesco had held their own in the match, but in a five-minute period near the end of the first half they effectively ended the game as a contest with a rapid-fire hat-trick from Kambole.

The attacker first finished off a sweeping passing movement in the 38th minute – his initial shot was saved by Sandanezwe Mathebula, but he followed up on the rebound and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

In the 40th minute Kambole picked up on a loose ball on the edge of the box, after great high-pressing from Zesco, and tucked the ball beyond the ‘keeper to make it 2-0.

The 24-year-old Zambian international completed the hat-trick with the best of his goals in the 43rd minute. He turned the defence from a long ball, spotted Mathebula way off his line and coolly finished from long range.

To their credit, Swallows pushed hard to try and find a way back into the game in the second half, but when their best player Tony Tsabedze missed a great chance in the 75th minute, it was clear that the hosts would end on the losing side.

The result sees the Zambians move to third place on the Group D log on five points, level with second-placed Primeiro de Agosto on Angola. The Swazi team drops to the bottom of the log on four points.

The teams will wrap up their group phase campaigns with matches on August 28. Zesco will be at home to Etoile, while Swallows travel to Luanda to face Agosto.

TEAMS:

Swallows: Mathebula, Ndaba, Palma, Umkoro, Mabila, Ndlovu, Aladeokun, Nhleko, McCreesh, Tsabedze, Hlatjwako (Shabalala 79’)

Zesco: Banda, Sakala, Chaila, Mayembe, Kapumbu, Akumu, Mtonga, Kalengo (Daka 62’), Ching’andu, Kambole, Banda (Mwape 71’)