Young players have dominated the Chipolopolo Boys COSAFA bound squad summoned by head coach Aljosa Asanovic.
The Crot has named a 23-member squad for the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup.
Power Dynamos midfield ace Joshua ‘Budo’ Mutale, New Red Arrows acquisition Albert Kangwanda and Kabwe Warriors diminutive workhouse Prince Mumba have all made the cut.
Other youngsters in the squad include NAPSA Stars Jimmy Mukeya, Shemmy Mayembe, Prosper Chiluya, Patrick Gondwe and ZESCO United lanky forward Enock Sakala Jnr.
New ZESCO United goalie Cyril Mwenya Chibwe has also been handed a call up alongside regulars Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, Spencer Sautu, Benedict Chepeshi, Dominic Chanda and 2021/2022 Super League top goalscorer, Ricky Banda.
Green Eagles defender Warren Kunda has also been handed a call up in recognition of hard-tackling antics for the Choma based side.
The Chipolopolo will enter camp on June 29 in Lusaka.
The COSAFA championship will also act as a preparatory ground for the July 24 African Nations Championship tie against Mozambique in Maputo and the September round of the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back clashes with Lesotho.
The Chipolopolo will join the tournament at the quarterfinal stage with a tie against the winners of Group A that comprises Botswana, Angola, Comoros, and Seychelles.
The 2022 Cosafa tournament will run from July 5-17 in Durban, South Africa.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Cyril Chibwe (Zesco United), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
(DEFENDERS)
Prosper Chiluya, Allan Kapila, Benedict Chepeshi, (all Red Arrows), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Warren Kunda (Green Eagles)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Sadam Phiri (Red Arrows), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Patrick Gondwe, Harrison Chisala (both Nkana), Kelvin Kampamba, Spencer Sautu (Zesco United), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Abraham Siankombo (Zanaco)
(STRIKERS)
Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Enock Sakala jnr (Zesco United), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos)
Thanks coaches. This is the way to go, These young guns have a point to prove. Believe Me You Zambia is winning the COSAFA.Also interesting will be to see how our local defense will turn up if they are ready to be included in the regular Chipolopolo set up. This is the time to prove they can defend Mother Zambia . Let the games begin.
This is the strongest squad we can come up with.. performance based. These guys can push the agenda and have the point to prove.
Wish the Coach and the players well.
The front line looks weak to me, and could have benefited ny the inclusion of South Africa based striker Friday Samu! Dont tell us he is ineligible to play, unless the rules have been changed? The last Cosafa fielded Mweene in goal and Shonga!