Grant names squad to face Egypt, Uganda in friendly matches

Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant has named his 25-member squad for the back-to-back international friendly matches during the October FIFA window.

FAZ has lined up friendly matches against Egypt and Uganda on October 12 and 17 respectively.

The two matches that are being used as preparatory games for the November round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Dubai.

Grant will be without the injured duo of Lameck Banda (Lecce) and Frankie Musonda (Ayr United).

The technical bench has struck a balance between local and foreign based players with the Saudi Arabia domiciled Fashion Sakala making a return after missing out on the final Group H Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Comoros due to suspension.

Zambia is preparing for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November where they play Congo Brazzaville and Niger.

Grant is also treating the qualifiers as a build up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations that will be played in Ivory Coast in January.

Draws for the Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Abidjan on October 12.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)

Defenders: Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards), Stoppila Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou-China), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Lishon Lezion-Israel), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Roderick Kabwe (Zakho Sports Club-Iraq), John Chishimba (Zesco United), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech),

Midfielders: Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Kings Kangwa (Crzena Zvezda-Serbia), Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania), Emmanuel Banda (Rijeka-Croatia), Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune-RSA),

Forwards: Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg IF-Denamrk), Edward Chilufya (Hacken-Sweden), Fashion Sakala (Club Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia, Francisco Mwepu (Atletico Sanluqueno-Spain), Evans Kangwa (Quingdao Hainiu-China), Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Moyela Libamba (Forest Rangers)

[FAZ]