Mandanji, Kalusa and Siame headline Mbewe’s Zambia U23 squad for Burkina Faso qualifiers

Red Arrows forward Eliya Mandanji, FC MUZA midfielder Given Kalusa and Spain-based Gift Siame are among the 22 players selected for the two-legged 2027 AFCON qualifying tie.

Zambia Under-23 coach Chisi Mbewe has named his final 22-man squad for the back-to-back 2027 Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Burkina Faso.

Red Arrows forward Eliya Mandanji and FC MUZA midfielder Given Kalusa headline the selection, which also includes Spain-based midfielder Gift Siame, who plays for CD Leganés B.

Mandanji will be looking to make his mark at international level after impressing during the team’s preparations. The forward was among the scorers when the Junior Chipolopolo defeated Kafue Celtic 4-3 in a practice match at Nkoloma Stadium.

The Red Arrows striker has been one of the exciting young attacking prospects in the domestic game and will provide Mbewe with another option in the final third.

Kalusa, meanwhile, brings valuable experience, having already earned senior national-team recognition. The FC MUZA midfielder made his senior Zambia debut in November 2025 and was subsequently included in the Chipolopolo squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Another notable inclusion is Siame, who continues his development in Spain with Leganés B. The midfielder made his senior international debut against South Africa in November 2025, underlining his growing profile in Zambian football.

Mbewe’s selection, however, has been dealt a setback with the withdrawal of midfielder Joseph Sabobo Banda, who has been ruled out after sustaining an injury at his Armenian club, Alashkert.

Banda was part of the initial 23-man provisional squad but will now miss the assignment, leaving Mbewe with 22 players for the two-legged encounter.

The Junior Chipolopolo will travel to Ouagadougou for the first leg on November 11, 2026, before hosting the West Africans in the return fixture at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on November 15.

The tie forms part of Zambia’s campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt. The tournament will also serve as a qualification pathway to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Zambia U23 final squad

Goalkeepers

1. Christo Chitambala (Kabwe Warriors)
2. Anotole Bweupe (Roan United)
3. Hendrix Kanyungulu (Green Eagles)

Defenders

1. Jonathan Kalimina (Kafue Celtic)
2. Sekanji Siame (Power Dynamos)
3. Hedson Paina Mapulanga (Green Eagles)
4. Charles Buyoya (Aguilla)
5. Happy Nsiku (ZESCO United)
6. Lyson Banda (Green Buffaloes)
7. Duncan Musialela (Green Eagles)

Midfielders

1. Elvis Mulenga (Red Arrows)
2. Humphrey Bwembya (Kabwe Warriors)
3. Benjamin Saeli (Konkola Blades)
4. David Simukonda (El Gouna, Egypt)
5. Tumelo Mununga (CD Leganés B, Spain)
6. Given Kalusa (FC MUZA)
7. Gift Siame (CD Leganés B, Spain)

Strikers

1. Anthony Shipanuka (ZESCO United)
2. Eliya Mandanji (Red Arrows)
3. Emmanuel Mutale (Gulf United, UAE)
4. Pascal Phiri (Al Ittihad, Egypt)
5. Caleb Musonda (Kafue Celtic)