Chipolopolo Boys head coach Aljosa Asanovic has extended call-ups to a duo from Athletico Lusaka for the COSAFA-bound squad, The ZamFoot Crew understands.
Asanovic has roped in a striker Kings Mutandwa and a midfielder Charles Majapa.
Mutandwa who returned from Israel in January after 2 months spell at top flight side Maccabi Petah Tikva was the Lusaka Province division one top scorer last season having scored 17 Goals for Athletico Lusaka.
Majapa was a key member of the Joseph Sabobo Banda-led U-20 team that minted silver at the 2020 COSAFA U-17 Championship sealing a place at the Total U-17 AFCON, Morocco 2021 which was later canceled.
Asanovic looks to have made it his priority to have several youngsters in his squad for every assignment.
The initial squad released last week is full of U-20 and immediate former U-20 national team players.
Power Dynamos midfield ace Joshua ‘Budo’ Mutale, New Red Arrows acquisition Albert Kangwanda and Kabwe Warriors diminutive workhouse Prince Mumba have all made the cut.
Other youngsters in the squad include NAPSA Stars Jimmy Mukeya, Shemmy Mayembe, Prosper Chiluya, Patrick Gondwe, Golden Mashata, and ZESCO United lanky forward Enock Sakala Jnr.
The Chipolopolo will enter camp today in Lusaka to start their preparations for the regional tournament.
The COSAFA championship will also act as a preparatory ground for the July 24 African Nations Championship tie against Mozambique in Maputo and the September round of the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back clashes with Lesotho.
The Chipolopolo will join the tournament at the quarterfinal stage with a tie against the winners of Group A which comprises Botswana, Angola, Comoros, and Seychelles.
The 2022 Cosafa tournament will run from July 5-17 in Durban, South Africa.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Cyril Chibwe (Zesco United), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
(DEFENDERS)
Prosper Chiluya, Allan Kapila, Benedict Chepeshi, (all Red Arrows), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Warren Kunda (Green Eagles)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Sadam Phiri (Red Arrows), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Patrick Gondwe, Harrison Chisala (both Nkana), Kelvin Kampamba, Spencer Sautu (Zesco United), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Abraham Siankombo (Zanaco), Charles Mumba Majapa (Athletico Lusaka).
(STRIKERS)
Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Enock Sakala jnr (Zesco United), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Kings Mutandwa (Athletico Lusaka).
Where is Joesph ‘Sabobo’ Banda in the team ? He was voted best player in the Cosafa at the age groups level so why don’t you show us progression by including in the senior team. In addition, I believe Zambia should be eyeing a Qualification to the Olympics 2024 in Paris.
Why not invite some of the other youngsters who featured sparingly and showed intent to play for Zambia when Micho was coach.
You Ntazana Mayembe, you the Zimba kid in Wales for Cardiff or the other fledlings.
You mean yo can invite a player a year ago and none has come Ntazana, Malumo and company. What is the FAZ plan?