Local and South African based Chipolopolo players last evening left for Jerusalem ahead of the November 17th international friendly match against Israel which will be played at the Petach Tikva stadium.
Meanwhile Sekhukhune United winger Roderick Kabwe said the team will take the international friendly match seriously as it is a preparatory game for next year’s qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
“For us we are looking at the qualifiers which will be played next year, we have two important games against Lesotho and Comoros. This game will help us just like the previous game we played against Mali,” said Kabwe. “So it’s an important game, yes! we are looking at results but at the same time we are looking at our preparation going into the qualifiers next year, so we will have to give our best.”
Kabwe also said that the absence of the Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu who was forced to retire due to hereditary heart condition will be felt.
“It’s an unfortunate situation which anyone out there wouldn’t want to be found in, it’s so unfortunate for our captain to have found himself in such a situation,” said the Chipolopolo winger who added that the former Brighton and Hove Albion FC midfielder will affect the team because he was an important player in the National team.
“It affects us as a team because he was one of the important players for us, the team and for the whole country.”
The South African based winger however said they will carry on and ensure they make him proud by winning games.
“Life goes on and we just have to somehow play for him, to try and find results so that at least even when he is out there watching us he will be proud of us and feel he is part of us,” concluded Kabwe.
The friendly game against Israel on Thursday will see a new captain for the Chipolopolo Boys after the replace Mwape with Kabwe who has in the past worn the armband expected to lead to lead in the team.
It will also be the last game which for Moses Sichone as stand-in coach for the Chipolopolo Boys as the Football Association of Zambia are expected to officially announce the next coach in the coming days.
