Wedson Nyirenda has lamented that plans fell through to camp Chipolopolo in Spain ahead of the 2018 l FIFA World Cup Group B away qualifier against Nigeria.

The proposal to setup camp in Spain fell through due to operational reasons.

“It would have been a plus to camp in Europe because of the conditions and also play a few friendlies.”

Zambia will now have to make do with local camp of which the preliminary phase kicked off on September 25 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka for the 26 home-based callups.

Local camp will break this Thursday for players to attend to their league obligations.
The foreign-based callups will join when camp resumes on Sunday in Lusaka, five days before the match as stipulated by FIFA rules.

Zambia and Nigeria are 2nd and 1st on 7 and 10 points respectively heading into their penultimate Group B qualifier on October 7 in Uyo City.

Meanwhile, all but the five callups were at the first day of training on Monday afternoon at Nkoloma.

All five missing players are from Zesco United.

Defenders Simon Silwimba and Fackson Kapumbu including midfielders Kondwani Mtonga, John Chingandu and Misheck Chaila will miss the first week of camp.

This is because Zesco have a 2017 Barclays Cup quarterfinal date on Wednesday away to Kitwe United at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.