Chipolopolo boss Avram Grant has handed Francisco Mwepu, young brother to medically retired former Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu his maiden call up.
Mwepu who recently made his La Liga debut with Cadiz CF after an impressive outing with the B side has been included in Grant’s 29 member provisional squad.
Grant has also recalled 2012 AFCON winner Stophila Sunzu who will be making his return to the Copper Bullets set up for the first time in four years.
USA based Aime Mabika who is yet to be cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs has also been named in the provisional squad.
Others summoned are Golden Mafwenta, Pride Mwansa of Nkwazi, and Mufulira Wanderers midfielder Patson Kwataime.
Edward Chilufya of Danish outfit Midtjylland misses out due to injury while Czech domiciled Benson Sakala is also on the mend.
Nchanga Rangers goalkeeper Victor Chabu and FC MUZA striker Andrew Phiri have also been called in Grant’s setup with SuperSport United midfielder Gamphani Lungu also making his way back in the team.
Zambia are second on nine points behind leaders and already qualified Ivory Coast in Group H and need a point in the remaining two group matches to secure a spot at next year’s AFCON.
Tickets for the June 17 qualifier match can be purchased in Shoprite via CompuTicket from K20 for early birds and K50 for north and south wings. East wing tickets are pegged at K150, K200 for west and K750 for VIP.
The team will enter camp in the first week of June with foreign based players expected early following the closure of foreign leagues.
FULL SQUAD
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune United-RSA), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)
DEFENDERS
Stoppila Sunzu (Jinang Xingzhou-China), Aime Mabika (Toronto FC-USA), Frankie Musonda (Ayr United-Scotland), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Gift Mphande (Atletico Lusaka), Samson Mkandawire, Kelvin Kapumbu (both Zesco United), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe-DRC), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Roderick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United-RSA), Pride Mwansa (Nkwazi), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov- Czech Republic)
MIDFIELDERS
Kings Kangwa (Red Star Belgrade-Serbia), Emmanuel Banda (Rijeka-Croatia), Rarry Bwalya (Amazulu FC-RSA), Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania), Patson Kwataine (Mufulira Wanderers), Lubambo Musonda (AC Horsens-Denmark), Kelvin Kampamba (Zesco United), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Gamphani Lungu (Supersport United-RSA)
STRIKERS
Fashion Sakala (Rangers-Scotland), Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Andrew Phiri (FC MUZA), Kennedy Musonda (Yanga SC-Tanzania), Francisco Mwepu (Cadiz CF-Spain)
We want mabika this time not iyama excuse apa
Mr presido help us with mabika ths time
Now this is a team…faz kindly make sure these players called especially Mabika are made available..
These are impressive steps by our coach……all the best chipolopolo.
To those in charge of passports in Zambia and those responsible on the issue of mabika i beg you!! Do us favour
What about Evans kangwa
Comment:yes we need mabika in the squad and congrats to sunzu!