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By Kennedy Gondwe
BBC Sport, Lusaka
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Kalusha Bwalya has called up 3 foreign based stars to his Olympic squad
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World football's governing body, Fifa, has thrown out an appeal by the Football Association of Zambia (Faz)
to change the officials in charge of this weekend's crucial Olympic qualifier against Ghana.
Last week Faz wrote to Fifa asking the federation to change the Togolese officials handling the Group D
decider in Kumasi, Ghana.
They argue that since Ghana and Togo are neighbours, the match officials could favour the Black Meteors.
Both sides have 10 points in Group D, but Zambia top the group thanks to a superior goal difference and therefore only need a draw to qualify for the Athens games.
"As Faz, our fear was that the officials could favour Ghana because the two are neighbours," Mwansa
Mbulakulima, the association's spokesperson, told BBC Sport.
"But they [Fifa] have rejected our appeal, instead, they have advised us to seek their intervention after
the match if we feel that there were any problems with officiating.
"We have been assured that they will be keeping a very close eye on things.
"Of course we are not happy with the decision, but Fifa is football's ultimate authority and if they make
a decision like this one, there's nothing you can do.
"All we can do is prepare for any eventuality, because for us this is like a World Cup final."
Meanwhile, Zambia have called up three foreign-based players for the match.
Zambia's technical director Kalusha Bwalya has named Edwin Phiri of Swedish side Orgryte as well the South
African based strikers Collins Mbesuma of Kaizer Chiefs, and Francis Kombe from Silver Stars.
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For us this is like a World Cup final
