Augustine and Kambole return as Grant names 27 local Guns

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Lazarus Kambole and former Orlando Pirates winger Augustine Mulenga have returned to the Chipolopolo set up.

This follows the announcement by Zambia National Team head coach Avram Grant of a 27 member local Squad.

Kambole makes a return after over a three year absence thanks to his form at the start of his second ZESCO United stint while Mulenga last featured for Chipolopolo back in 2021 in the 3-3 draw with Algeria at the National Heroes Stadium.

Grant has also roped in Zambia U-20 players in Derrick Bulaya, and Gift Mphande.

However there is no space for Power Dynamos midfield ace Fredrick Mulambia and Green Buffaloes Golden Mashata who have been doing well in the league.

The local assemblage will commence preparations after this weekend’s Absa Cup quarterfinal matches. Foreign based players will join camp starting on March 19 in Ndola given the FIFA five-day rule.

Grant will announce the final squad comprising foreign based players after the local camp.

Zambia has three points after having lost 3-1 to Ivory Coast on match day one in Yamoussoukro and beating Comoros 2-1 at National Heroes Stadium.

Ivory Coast tops the group on four points while Zambia and Comoros are both on three points with Lesotho managing a point. Hosts Ivory Coast have already qualified with the remaining three sides battling for the remaining slot from Group H.

Zambia hosts Lesotho on Thursday, March 23 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in an 18:00 hours kickoff, before facing the Likuena at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg three days later in the reverse fixture.

LOCAL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)
Mwenya Chibwe (Zesco United), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Allan Chibwe (Forest Rangers), Charles Kalunga (Red Arrows)

(DEFENDERS
Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Dominic Chanda, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Shemmy Mayembe, John Chishimba (Zesco United), Mwila Phiri (Zanaco)
Teddy Khumalo, Gift Mphande (both Athletico Lusaka), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Aaron Katebe (Power Dynamos)

MIDFIELD
Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Gideon Sichone (Green Buffaloes), Andrew Mphande (Nkwazi), Oliver Lumbiya (Nkana), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos). Charles Zulu, Abraham Siankombo (both Zanaco), Augustine Mulenga (Napsa Stars),

STRIKERS
Andrew Phiri (MUZA), Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows), Derrick Bulaya (Green Eagles FC), Lazarous Kambole (Zesco)