Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba has been named in Coach Avram Grant’s 32 member provisional squad for 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Mubanga returned to Zambia earlier this month after a stint in Libya where he joined Al Nassr Benghazi, based in the city of Benghazi before moving to Al Madina, a club located in the Libyan capital city of Tripoli in January, 2024.
Kampamba was named as the 2022 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup Player of the Tournament after helping Zambia to lift their sixth COSAFA Cup title and is expected to be key for Grant at the tournament set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Other notable names are Charles Zulu, Andrew Phiri, Abraham Siankombo, Killian Kanguluma, Dominic Chanda, Fredrick Mulambia, Kelvin Kapumbu, Kenneth Kasanga and Prince Mumba.
There is no place for Lawrence Mulenga, Austin Muwowo and Nchanga Rangers’ Elliot Kampukesa.
Granta has also handed call ups to U20 players Philimon Chilimina and Levinson Banda as well as Makeni All Stars striker Kenani Phiri.
FAZ has confirmed that Grant will be overseeing the CHAN project as part of preparations for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 tournament.
The team will commence its local camp on Sunday with training starting on Monday before heading to East Africa for a pre-tournament camp.
The premier tournament for Africa’s home-based national footballers will be staged from 2 to 30 August 2025, across three East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Chipolopolo will be making their fifth appearance at the biannual tournament with their best outing being 2009 when they finished third.
Since then Zambia has missed three tournaments (2011, 2014 and 2022) and reached the quarter finals the other three times (2016,2018, and 2020).
The Chipolopolo will commence their Group A race with a match against Congo DR on August 7 before engaging Angola three days later.
The third tussle will see Zambia renew its rivalry with Morocco on August 14 before winding down their group games with Kenya three days later.
The winner of the CHAN 2024 will now bag USD 3.5 million, an increment by 32 percent compared to 2022.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Levison Banda (Zesco United), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
(DEFENDERS)
Benedict Chepeshi, Kabaso Chongo (all Zesco United), Mathews Banda, Kendrick Mumba, (both Nkana), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Kebson Kamanga, Happy Nsiku (all Red Arrows), Lyson Banda (Green Buffaloes), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), John Chishimba (Zanaco)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Owen Tembo, Frederick Mulambia, Prince Mumba (both Power Dynamos), Kelvin Kapumbu (Konkola Blades), Wilson Chisala (both Zanaco), Philimon Chilimina (both Green Buffaloes), Rally Bwalya (Napsa Stars), Abraham Siankombo, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Jackson Kampamba (Mutondo Stars), Kenneth Kasanga (Nkwazi), Timothy Sichalwe (Athletico), Kelvin Mwanza (Muza FC)
(STRIKERS)
Andrew Phiri (MUZA), Evans Kayombo (Napsa Stars), Charles Zulu (Nkana), Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows), Kenan Phiri (Makeni All Stars)
grant is far better choice than wada.