ZESCO United say they have ample cover in midfield should influential
playmaker Rainford Kalaba clinch prospective move to French Ligue two
team Chateauroux where he is on trials.
“We have enough players to replace Rainford (Kabala) in that position
at the club,” Zesco club secretary Justin Mumba said.
Mumba said Zesco could turn to Donwell Yobe, Allan Kombe or Crispin
Mwaba to take over should Kalaba clinch a contract with Chateauroux.
Kalaba has been influential in league leaders Zesco’s push at the top
of the KCM/FAZ Super League table this year scoring 11 competitive
goals for the club out of his total of 14 this season.
Mumba also praised Kalaba’ contribution to Zesco’s progress so far
this season adding that the club could not stand in a players way of
securing a contract abroad.
“Rainford has helped the club a lot and as a club we looking forward
he makes it with his trials in Europe,” Mumba said.
“When a young player like Rainford reaches his peak, it the right time
for him to go to Europe.”
Kalaba has been on loan to Zesco since July, 2006 after joining the
Ndola team from division one north club Afrisports.
The midfielder had prior to joining Zesco spent six-months with French
Ligue one club Nice.
Kalaba on Wednesday played his first training game for Chateauroux in
a match the French Ligue 2 team beat 3rd division club Sannois St
Gratien 3-0.
His ex-Afrisports team mate Jacob Mulenga who has been at the club for
the last 3 seasons and the Zambia national team striker scored a brace
in that match.
Meanwhile, Kalaba is also expected to feature in Saturdays friendly
against Ligue 1 club Auxerre.
With that development, Kalaba could now certainly to miss the Zambia
Under 23 teams remaining Group B matches at the All Africa Games
against Egypt tomorrow Friday and Algeria on Monday.
