CHIPOLOPOLO this afternoon face 2010 World Cup finalists North Korea in a historic first-ever meeting between the two sides when they clash in an international friendly at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

The match to be played on a non-FIFA match date is of significant importance to Chipolopolo after a recent poor run of results.

Moreover, Chipolopolo are out to make amends with a dark cloud still hovering from the previous friendly debacle against The Black Stars of Ghana in London on August 12 that Herve Renard's side lost 4-1.

Renard should be pleased that unlike the Ghana friendly which was played on a FIFA date, he will have at least half a dozen foreign-based players at his disposal.

His squad has been bolstered by the availability of playmaker Rainford Kalaba of Portuguese side Unio de Leiria who arrived in camp on Thursday.

Missing will be key South African-based players who include goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, midfielder Felix Katongo and defender Joseph Musonda.

Also unavailable is prodigal son Clifford Mulenga who was expected to end his one-year self-imposed exile for Chipolopolo. The players will be absent due to club commitments.

However, Renard will be pleased to have striker and Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) hero Given Singuluma of DR Congo side TP Mazembe.


Goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje of Amazulu in South Africa including club mate and defender Chintu Kampamba are also both available for the match.

Left-back Emmanuel Mbola is the second European-based player after Kalaba in the team for Chipolopolo's clash against North Korea.

Meanwhile, North Korea are expected to field an almost full squad but will be missing four key foreign-based players.

Missing will be their Russia-based striker and captain Hong Young-Jun including their Japanese-born playmaker Ahn Young-Hak of defending South Korean champions Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Midfielder Kim Kuk-Jin of FC Wil in Switzerland and striker Jong Tae-Se of J-League side Kawasaki Frontale in Japan are not in the 31-member travelling party.

Kim Yong-Jun of Chengdu Blades in China, who has seven international goals, is the only foreign-based player in coach Kim Jong-Hun's team.

First-choice goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk including the trusted backline of Ji Yun-Nam, Pak Nam-Chol and Ri Kwang-Hyok are in the team for today's match.

In attack, Kim should call on Choe Kum-Chol and Kim Kum-Il to lead against Chipolopolo.

North Korea, who have been hosted courtesy of the Football Association of Zambia, return back home to Pyongyang tomorrow.