Fashion Sakala returns as Grant names 31 member Provisional Squad 

Saudi Arabia based Fashion Sakala has been named in the Chipolopolo Boys squad for the first time since January 2024. 

Sakala last played for the Copper Bullets on January 24 , 2024 in the 1-0 loss to Morocco before he fell out with head coach Avram Grant. 

Sakala is not the only player returning to the set up as goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe is also back in the team and striker Patson Daka who missed the AFCON Qualifiers due to injury. 

Five players from the disastrous African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament have also made the squad namely; Mathews Banda, Benedict Chepeshi, Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, Dominic Chanda, and Charles Kalumba. 

Youngsters Gift Siame, David Hamansenya and Joseph Liteta have all made the cut. 

Regulars Kings Kangwa, Emmanuel Banda, Frankie Chisenga Musonda, Kennedy Musonda, Lameck Banda and Obino Chisala have all made the cut. 

Zambia will host Morocco at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Monday ,September 8th. 

The Chipolopolo Boys are on six points after winning against Congo Brazzaville and getting free points off the same opponent after they were temporarily banned by FIFA because of third-party interference in the affairs of the country’s football association (Fecofoot).

Meanwhile the Atlas Lions of Morocco lead the group with 15 points after five wins from their first five games.

CHIPOLOPOLO 31-MEMBER PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Mwenya Chibwe (Zesco United)

(DEFENDERS)

Frankie Musonda (AYR United-Scotland), Kabaso Chongo, Benedict Chepeshi, Gift Mphande (all Zesco United), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Obino Chisala (El Merreikh-Sudan), David Hamansenya (Leganes-Spain), Mathews Banda (Nkana)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany), Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905-Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy), Kings Kangwa, Joseph Sabobo Banda (both Hapoel Be’er Sheva-Israel), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic), Kelvin Kampamba, Abraham Siankombo (Zesco United), Emmanuel Banda (Maccabi Bnei-Israel), Gift Siame (CD Leganes-Spain), Saddam Phiri (Red Arrows), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Songa Chipyoka (Hapoel Petah Tikva-Israel)

(FORWARDS)

Kingstone Mutandwa (SV Ried-Austria), Edward Chilufya (Midtylland-Denmark), Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan-Israel), Fashion Sakala (Al-Fayha FC-Saudi Arabia)