Chipolopolo head coach Avram Grant has named a strong 27 member squad for the back to back 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone.
Saudi Arabia based forward Fashion Sakala Jr has been left out of the squad for the two important matches.
Youngster Joseph Sabobo Banda has been named in the squad. This follows Banda’s good form that has seen him open his goal account for FC Zurich about three weeks ago.
Others who have been included in the squad are Israeli based Chipyoka Songa and Nkwazi’s Kenneth Kasanga.
Red Arrows’ duo of Angel Lubamba and Ricky Banda have also been summoned for the two matches.
The Chipolopolo will be without Leicester City forward Patson Daka and AYR defender Frankie Chisenga Musonda who are both out nursing injuries.
The local based players will regroup this weekend and fly to Boake on Monday while the Foreign based players will jet into Ivory Coast directly from their bases.
Zambia will be away to Ivory Coast in Bouake on 6th September before hosting Sierra Leone in Ndola on 10th September.
Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United)
Defenders:
Tandi Mwape (Zesco United), Kabaso Chongo (Kabwe Warriors), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Stopilla Sunzu (Cangzhou Lions, , China), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon LeZion, Israel), Zachariah Chilongoshi (Napsa Stars), Dominic Chanda, (Power Dynamos)
Midfielders:
Benson Sakala (FK Mlada Boleslav, , Czech), Miguel Chaiwa (Young Boys, , Switzerland), Obino Chisala (Costa do Sol-Mozambique), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg FC, Germany),Kelvin Kapumbu (Hapoel Petah Tikva-Isreal), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Kelvin Kampamba (Al Nasr Benghazi-Libya), Kenneth Kasanga (Nkwazi), Songa Chipyoka (Hapoel Petah Tikva- Israel), Clatous Chota Chama (Young Africans – Tanzania), Lameck Banda (US Lecce- Italy)
Forwards:
Kingston Mutandwa (Cagliari, Italy), Edward Chilufya (Midtjlland, Denmark), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans, Tanzania), Joseph Sabobo Banda ( FC Zurich, Switzerland), Angel Lubamba, Ricky Banda (Both Red Arrows)
Where is Emmanuel Banda? He has been such a pivotal play maker for the team in that midfield. Really surprised at his omission, unless he is injured. Also have we just forgotten about Aime Mabika? What was the point of even calling him up all that time ago
This is a very good and strong team! Actually for me the absence of Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala is good for the team because those two are ever bent on “making names” for themselves!! They don’t want to pass the ball to fellow team mates in the penalty area! They just want to shoot at goal in a hurry, and hence end up with 29 misses each in a single game! This team is bound to play much better! Actually Ivory Coast should watch out! As for Sierra Leone it will be a whitewash! And Mr. Positive, the coach is correct to leave out Emmanuel Banda. He made very costly mistakes the last two games , against Morocco and Tanzania. Remember the goal Tanzania scored, it’s him who seemed not to know what to do with ball and a Tanzania player grabbed it from him, and raced with ball towards Zambia’s goal, passed to his colleague, and he scored! He caused our loss against lowly placed Tanzania! Very embarrassing loss!
A name for themselves 😜. How do l make a name for you. People have really worked hard for their names 😂 instead of encouraging them to continue working hard ATI the absence is good l won’t even watch this match
No Patson ,no Fashion = no Afcon
As long as he wins otherwise we will not accept loss especially after leaving sakala
Why is Fashion left out? He is one of the best players in Zambia. Bringing personal issues into the game. However, blessings for Zambia. Amen.