The Zambia national team has left for Baghdad ahead of Friday’s international friendly match against Iraq.
The team left aboard an Emirates Airlines for the Iraq mission at 21:20 hours.
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), Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (both Red Arrows), Solomon Sakala, Shemmy Mayembe, Simon Silwimba (All Zesco United), Miguel Chaiwa (Athletic)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Spencer Sautu, Donashano Malama, Kelvin Kampamba , Chanda Mukuka(all Zesco United) , Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Harrison Chisala (Nkana).
(STRIKERS)
Albert Kangwanda (Kafue Celtic), Derrick Bulaya (Green Eagles), Patrick Gondwe, Alex Ng’onga (both Nkana)
What has happened to the teenage striker introduced by Chambeshi, the Napsa prospect?! The boy is talented, but seems to have slipped through the net, can’t remember his name exactly, Mukeya or Mukesa?