ELEVEN players from African club champions TP Mazembe have been named in DRC’s squad for the African Nations Championship tournament (CHAN).

Coach Santos Mutubile Ditunga also named six players from 2010 league winners Vita Club and five from DC Motema Pembe.

Mutubile included three TP Mazembe strikers who were recently banned by the Congolese Football Federation after they refused to take part in the just concluded Nile Basin tournament in Egypt.

Their ban was lifted a few days later, after Mazembe complained they had not received a written letter notifying them on the players’ suspension.

The players in question are Kaluyituka Dioko, Patou Kabangu and Bedi Mbeza.
Mutubile is expecting a tough tournament but believes his team can retain the trophy.

The tournament kicks off next Friday in Sudan with the format changing from eight teams to 16.

Agencies