Sakala has replaced national 15s head coach, Humphrey Chisulo who had taken over from him two years ago and will be assisted by Nigel Mukuyungwa.

Former Diggers secretary, Chileshe Bweupe has been appointed as national 15s team manager, taking over from Kampata Banda. The Under-21 stand-in coach is Owen Busange while team manager is Nchanga’s Owen Mhango.

Lewis Tembo of Kabwe has been elevated as head coach for the women while Lieutenant Nyasulu from Red Arrows is the women’s team manager. Fundi Sinkala from Diggers will work as physiotherapist for the senior 15s, Under-21s and the women during the international matches against Zimbabwe.

The senior 15s and Under-21s are expected to report to the coaching staff at Diggers before the close of the day on Wednesday while the women should go into residential training on Thursday.

The Under-21 team consists of Daniel Sakala, McGiven Muchindu, Danny Kabila, Terry Kayamba, Ali Bhika, Miyanda Malambo, Kabwe Musonda, Edward Mumba, Jacob Musukwa and Goodhope Mwewa.

Others are Brian Musonda, Chrispin Chola, Kabaso Mulenga, Misheck Silomba, Sizwa, Michello Shelleni, Benaya Mukwamba, Fine Chikumbi, Keka Mfune, Martin Chisanga, Chizola Banda, Emmanuel Daka, Simon Kapindu, Vernon Bwalya, Owen Mwila and Katayi Mukosa.

The women’s squad has Lome Phiri, Shelly Mwami, Mary Mbewe, Cathrine Ndashe, Carol Mpululuka, Melody Habukali, and Grace Zulu all from Green eagles. Agness Mutambarika and Mody Kafunda (Red Arrows), Gladys Mateyo and Christabel Chileshe (Diggers).

10 June 2008
The Zambia Rugby Football Union (ZRFU) has appointed a high-powered Organising Committee to prepare the International Rugby Board (IRB) Six-Nation Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Under-18 tournament set for Ndola in August this year.

The main Organising Committee which will be headed by Ndola lawyer, Chanda Chileshe from Lloyd Jones and Collins has been mandated to organise the event set for August 17 to 24 and will soon start preparatory meetings.

Chileshe will be assisted by other members who would also come up with various sub committees to take care of different assignments.

Former Zambia national rugby captain and Michaelangelo restaurant and lodges director, Sirgio Giorgi is also in the main organising committee, together with another lawyer, Enias Chulu, banker Webster Moomba, Baluba Motel manager, Faustina Kasembe and Fatmols Lodges director, Friday Ng’ambi.

And immediate past Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) chairperson, Wamulume Kalabo is also in the main organising committee and immediately said the youth were the future of rugby in Zambia and pledged total support to the event.

However, the main Organising Committee is free to coopt other members that they feel would make valuable contributions to the organising committee. ZRFU general secretary, Martin Musunka is an automatic member and is obliged to attend all the sub committee deliberations on behalf of the motherbody.

“Since junior rugby is spread across the urban Zambia, we are also looking at forming another committee in Kitwe which would be answerable to the Chanda Chileshe executive. We are of the view that Kitwe people can make a big difference and that’s why we want to come up with a committee there which would be supervised by ZRFU Vice President Raj Karamchand.”

The six-nation CAR Under-18 which was initially scheduled for May 25-June 1 this year, was deferred due to requests by some countries. The participating countries are Botswana, Mauritius Swaziland, Tanzania, The Reunion, and Zambia.

The IRB says it does not want to risk the safety of players and officials during next month’s Africa Cup encounter between Zimbabwe and Senegal and therefore resolved to take the game to a neutral venue.

Zambia and Botswana were approached during the IRB general secretaries’ workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa to consider hosting the match but the delegates were unanimous that Zambia was better placed to arrange and host the match.

Zambia Rugby Football Union (ZRFU) general secretary, Martin Musunka, who attended the workshop said his country would not have difficulties in hosting the international match and promised to revert to the IRB after consultation on dates with the executive committee.

Zimbabwe and Senegal have been drawn to play their 2011 RWC Africa qualifying match on July 12, in Harare but due to unpredictable scenarios in Zimbabwe, the global rugby governing body decided that the match be shifted elsewhere.

Zambia will play Cote d’Ivouire in Abidjan on July 12 and there could be the possibility of hosting the Zimbabwe-Senegal match in Lusaka but there are also other options of having the two foreign teams playing their match either on July 19 or July 26.

“We have entered into discussions regarding the dates which would be suitable and after all considerations have been concluded, we shall then place a date to host the Zimbabwe versus Senegal match.”

Zimbabwe has been placed in the three-nation group together with Namibia and Senegal. However, Senegal will host Namibia this Saturday in Dakar and thereafter, Zimbabwe will travel to Windhoek to meet Namibia.