Nkana striker Alex ‘Bazo’ Ng’onga has returned to the national team set up after an absence of four years.
Bazo nearly made a return last year in October after being named in Beston Chambeshi’s provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers but was not available.
Bazo is part of the 20 member local contingent named by Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic for the upcoming March 18 international friendly match against Iraq.
Ng’onga last appeared for the Copper Bullets back in January 2018 during the 2018 African Nations Championship held in Morocco.
Youngsters, Joshua Mutale, Miguel Chaiwa and Derrick Bulaya have also made the cut. The locally assembled Bullets will enter camp on Sunday in Lusaka after the weekend ABSA Cup games.
Asanovic is expected to carry the best of the local players from the Iraq mission for the two planned international friendly matches that includes a confirmed fixture against Guinea on March 29 in France.
The Football Association of Zambia is expected to line up another opponent during the FIFA window to give Asanovic enough opportunity to see his best possible squad.
Zambia is using the FIFA window to prepare for the June round of the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Lameck Siame (Zanaco), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)
(DEFENDERS)
Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Prosper Chiluya (Red Arrows), Solomon Sakala, Shemmy Mayembe (both Zesco United), Miguel Chaiwa (Shamuel Academy), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Spencer Sautu, Donashano Malama, Kelvin Kampamba (all Zesco United) , Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Kelvin Kapumbu, Abraham Siankombo (both Zanaco)
(STRIKERS)
Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Derrick Bulaya (Green Eagles), Patrick Gondwe, Alex Ng’onga (both Nkana)
Comment:The quad is ok but what we want is to win the game.