Zambia will begin camping in Johannesburg on Thursday (today) in preparation for next week's decisive 2014 World Cup qualifier against Ghana in Kumasi.
Thanks to several home-based players in the Chipolopolo squad, coach Herve Renard can start him camping in the South African capital.
Seven home-based national team players and the technical bench are today scheduled to arrive in Johannesburg to start preparations for the match against the Black Stars.
The foreign-based players, who are scattered all over the world including China and Thailand will link up with the local stars in Johannesburg.
Zambia FA says it expects all the foreign-based players in camp on Monday.
The early camping in Johannesburg doesn't give Zambia a huge advantage as very few of the home-based players are expected to play in the match against Ghana.
Zambia beat Ghana twice in a space of four months last year.
The Chipolopolo beat the Black Stars 1-0 in the semi-finals at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on February 8 and by the same scoreline on June 9 in the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zambia need to beat Ghana to surge to the last round while the Black Stars only need a draw.
And seven home-based national team players and the technical bench are today scheduled to leave for Johannesburg to start preparations for the match against Ghana.
Ghana players will start arriving on Thursday and will start training on Monday ahead of the Zambia game.
Seven home-based players starting Zambia camp in Johannesburg
The players are Danny Munyao, Bronson Chama, Bruce Musakanya (all Red Arrows), Kabaso Chongo (Konkola Mine Police), Christopher Munthali (Nkana), Kondwani Mtonga (Zesco United) and Joshua Titima (Power Dynamos).