Kampamba to miss crucial clash

Kampamba is having to fight for his club position

By Kennedy Gondwe BBC Sport in Lusaka

Zambia's midfielder Gift Kampamba has withdrawn from next month's Africa Cup qualifier against Tanzania due to club commitments.

Kampamba told the BBC he will not be available for the game because he will be busy trying to keep his place at his Russian club.

I have to be around to consolidate my position

Gift Kampamba

"I'll be committed at the time the game will be played so I am not coming," said Kampamba from Turkey where his Russian club Rostselmash have set up a pre-season camp.

"The club has acquired four Russian players and we are expecting two others from South Africa. Because of this, there's a lot of competition and I have to be around to consolidate my position."

Kampamba has been in dispute with Zambia's FA over $1600 he is owed after paying his own air tickets for a game last year.

He said that even if the FA paid up, he was still not available.

"I am not going to be there," he said.

He said he needed to work hard, especially after Rostselmash came close to relegation last season.

Kampamba did however promise to be available for future games.

National team manager Solly Pandor said that was vital if Zambia were to beat Tanzania in their Nations Cup qualifier in Dar-el-Salaam next month, and he would persuade Kampamba to come.

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"The result against Tanzania is very important to us in the qualifying series. Whatever it takes, we have to beat them," he said.