Buoyant rugby 15s team off to Abidjan

of Zambia by mitia on 6/20/13

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE

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NATIONAL Rugby 15s team technical director Innocent Sakala has said the Zambian contigent is confident of positive results ahead of the Group C opener against hosts Ivory Coast at the 2013 African championships that kick off in Abidjan today.
A confident 22-man Zambian contigent that was scheduled to leave for the tournament yesterday will face the host nation tomorrow.
Sakala said though fatigue will have a toll on the team, he was hopeful his charges were adequately prepared for the challenge and would put up a spirited fight.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Sakala described the morale in the team as high and that the boys were determined to fly the Zambian flag higher.
“We are aiming higher even though the team will be disadvantaged by fatigue after flying into Abijan a day before our opening game. The morale in the team is high and we will give it our best,” he said.
Sakala said there was enough talent in the Zambian side that would cause upsets to opponents at the tournament.
Zambia is pitted in the same group with Mauritius, Niger and Ivory Coast.
The team comprises Fernard Kashimoto, Owen Mwila, Danny Mulumbwa (Buffaloes), Sizwayo Mvula (Roan), Benaya Mukwamba, Chiluba Kangwa, Ackim Mushota, Philip Kamanga, Chiluba Kangwa, Fine Chinkumbi and Robert Chilundami (Diggers).
Others are Kunda Mbaza, Jonnathan Gondwe (Ndola Wanderers), Tedious Chipoya, McDonald Mashawa (Green Eagles), Shadreck Kando (Nkwazi), Ali Bhika, Israel Kalumba, McGiven Mu