Kennedy Gondwe BBC Sport Online In Lusaka

Zambian midfielder Gift Kampamba has been thrown into the deep end in his debut year in European club football.

Kampamba is on four year contract with Rostselmash Rostov-Na-Donu, where they are fighting a battle to escape relegation.

Avoiding the second division is keeping him focussed on his game.

"Unless the mission to avoid relegation is accomplished, I am not ready to invite my family to come and stay with me."

The Zambian joined the club in August, together with South African international defender, Matthew Booth.

Language barriers

Despite experiencing no problems with the local fans, players and officials, Kampamba said communication is the main problem.

"I find the language very difficult but I have to learn it if I want to stay here and converse with my colleagues," he said.

But football's universal appeal is easing his transition into Russian life.

"On the pitch, there's always one language and that's football. So I use gestures to get the ball from colleagues," he said.

With a game against Spartak Moscow at the weekend, the Zambian will be hoping to make a positive and longlasting impression on his new employers.