Free training trip for Chipolopolo

By Kennedy Gondwe
BBC Sport, Lusaka

Jacob Mulenga in action at the 2008 Nations Cup

The German government has offered to pay for Zambia's national team to train in Germany for 10 days next month.

The trip is expected to cost around $US30,000, and Zambia will only need to pay for their air fares to Germany.

Zambian fans have often criticised the team's inadequate preparations.

The Chipolopolo are preparing for their 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo on 6 September, a game that Zambia need to win to stay in contention to reach the second group phase of the qualifiers.

The training trip is set to be from 15 to 24 August, and will include two matches for the Chipolopolo.

Zambia's sports minister Gabriel Namulambe and the German ambassador Irene Hinrichsen announced the arrangement.

"It's only that we can't express it by way of dancing but we are so excited they gave us this offer," said Namulambe.

Earlier this year, Germany offered to help Liberia's national team with a similar training tour.

But it was called off after many of the Liberian players did not get the necessary visas to travel.