Zambia: Bonetti Clinches Euro Club Deals

13 May 2011

NATIONAL soccer team coach, Dario Bonetti has struck agreements with European clubs to release Zambian players needed for international duty even matches outside the FIFA calendar.

And FIFA will soon send inspectors to certify the fitness of NchangaStadium for staging next month’s 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Olympic Games qualifiers.

FAZ communications manager, Erick Mwanza said in an interview inLusaka yesterday that Bonetti had managed to create rapport withEuropean clubs and the teams had agreed in principle to avail theplayers for international duty outside the FIFA-sanctioned dates.

Mwanza said the move by European players would especially benefit the Zambia Under-23 squad in the London 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers, whose games would mostly be outside the FIFA days.

He said if Zambia ejects Algeria in the Olympics, the next round ofqualifiers which will be mini-league series, would be played duringpre-season training for European clubs.

Mwanza said during his tour of Europe, Bonetti visited clubs withZambian players and was impressed with the condition of most players.

Bonetti also met Holland-based striker, Jacob Mulenga, who has justrecovered from an injury and has been included in the provisionalsquad for 2012 AFCON qualifier against Mozambique next month.

It is however not yet clear whether Mulenga of FC Utrecht will beready for the June 4 clash.Mwanza said all the players in the 31-member squad were expected toreport early before residential camping on May 24, since the leaguesEurope and South Africa would be on recess.

Bonetti retained largely the squad that beat Mozambique 2-0 on March26 in Maputo in the first leg.

He said the senior squad would play one or two preparatory matchesagainst local clubs before the Mozambique encounter.

And the certification of Nchanga Stadium in Chingola for the nextmonth’s two crucial games will soon be done by FIFA inspectors.

Mwanza said apart from FIFA checking on the stadium, Algeria wouldalso be sending some people to have a look at the structure before their Olympic Games qualifier against Zambia.

Algeria will first host the Zambia Olympic team, which faces Sudan ina friendly match on May 29, on June 3 before travelling to Chingolafor the return leg on June 18.The Olympic squad will go into camp this weekend in Lusaka.

Mozambique also sent their assistant coach, Helder Muianga to checkthe stadium and training grounds for the Black Mambas this week.

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