Chipolopolo Boys coach Avram Grant has summoned 16 foreign based for next month’s CAF 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifier, the ZamFoot Crew can exclusively reveal.
Zambia will host West African powerhouse Ivory Coast at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on June 17.
A point will be enough to end Zambia’s 10 years absence at Africa’s premier football showpiece.
According to a list obtained by the ZamFoot Crew, there will six African based players in the squad.
The other 10 players play their trade in Europe.
Canada based Aime Mabika’s involvement is still a doubt owing to unissued passport.
Beaten Nedbank Cup finalist Sekhukhune United duo Toaster Nsabata and Rodrick Kabwe will be joined by Amazulu’s Rally Bwalya from South Africa.
Supersport United’s Gamphani Lungu might be a late inclusion in the side.
TP Mazembe defender Tandi Mwape has also being called with East African based duo Kennedy Musonda and Clatous Chota Chama also in the squad.
From Eastern Europe the trio Kings Kangwa, Benson Sakala and Emmanuel Banda have also been included in the squad.
In form Fashion Sakala, Frankie Musonda and Patson Daka will lead the pack from Europe.
Others are captain Lubambo Musonda and Edward Chilufya from Denmark.
Young Boys of Bern’s Miguel Changa Chaiwa is on standby while China based Evans Kangwa could make the cut but that depends on Covid restrictions in that country.
Centre back Stopilla Sunzu hasn’t been considered.
Pros called for Ivory Coast
Goalkeeper
Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune United, RSA)
Defenders
Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
Roderick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United, RSA)
Frankie Chisenga Musonda (Ayr United, Scotland)
Miguel Chaiwa (Young Boys, Switzerland )
Benson Sakala (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech)
Midfielders
Rally Bwalya (Amazulu, RSA)
Lubambo Musonda (Horsens, Denmark)
Kings Kangwa (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)
Emmanuel Banda (Rijeka, Croatia)
Forwards
Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy)
Patson Daka (Leicester City, England)
Fashion Sakala (Rangers, Scotland)
Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans, Tanzania)
Clatous Chota Chama (Simba, Tanzania)
Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland, Denmark)
I can’t digest what I have read . Aime Mabika‘s issue of naturalising is still unresolved ? Surely someone somewhere is not doing the rightful thing
@Surprise. I find the explanation a surprise. What is unresolved about this issue? I’m sure Government officials know what the problem is. It can’t take more than a year to resolve this. Just tell us if the guy was denied a passport instead of playing games with us. WE TIRED of the suspense. Someone in the media please engage the Minister of Home Affairs or Sport to tell the Nation the truth.
Miguel Chaiwa for me needs to be in the team. This is a young man with a lot of potential and probably a future Captain of the National Team. Let him be there to learn if need be but having seen him in the past he is as good as the older players in the team and maybe better.
Good selection
@Sibs Very true , media personal must engage the Ministry of Home Affairs and Sports Ministry to put this issue to rest .