The Zambia national team has arrived in Baghdad ahead of Friday’s international friendly match with Iraq.
The Copper Bullets jetted into Baghdad at 09;30 hours local time after taking a two-hour flight from Dubai aboard Emirates Airlines.The team is expected to have a loosening session this evening according to the Football Association of Zambia Facebook page.
Tomorrow’s international friendly match will take place at 20:00 hours local time.
The match against the 2007 AFC Asian Cup Champions will be played outside the FIFA window and will feature an exclusive assemblage of local players that the coach wants to refine with his focus also on the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers set for June/July.
Some of the local players who will impress against Iraq will be part of the two planned international friendly matches (On FIFA window) that includes a confirmed fixture against Guinea on March 29 in France.
Foreign based players will join in for the two matches during the FIFA window (Guinea and a yet to be confirmed opponent).
Asanovic 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), Kelvin Malunga (Nkana), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)
(DEFENDERS)
Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Prosper Chiluya (Red Arrows), Solomon Sakala, Shemmy Mayembe, Simon Silwimba (all Zesco United), Miguel Chaiwa (Shamuel Academy), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Spencer Sautu, Donashano Malama, Chanda Mukuka, Kelvin Kampamba (all Zesco United), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Harrison Chisala (Nkana),
(STRIKERS)
Derrick Bulaya (Green Eagles), Patrick Gondwe, Alex Ng’onga (both Nkana), Albert Kangwanda (Kafue Celtic)
