Chipolopolo Boys head coach Moses Sichone has named his final 28 member squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Leicester City forward Patson Daka, Saudi Arabia based forward Fashion Sakala, US Lecce winger Lameck Banda and Hapoel Be’er Sheva midfield ace Klings Kangwa lead the squad named for the continental showpiece.
Sichone has also included youngsters Joseph Liteta of Cagliari Calcio and defender David Hamansenya of CD Leganés.
FC MUZA midfielder Given Kalusa and Kafue Celtic forward on loan at Sensational ZANACO Eliya Mandanji have also made the cup.
In form Kingston Mutandwa has not made the cut alongside CD Leganés midfielder Gift Siame.
The Chipolopolo Boys will today leave for Murcia, Spain, for the final phase of preparations. The Spain camp will run from December 11–17, 2025 before the team jets into Morocco for the tournament.
Zambia could face the Leopards of DR Congo and the Elephants of Ivory Coast in preparatory matches while in Spain.
Zambia is in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, West African giants Mali, and Comoros.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Lawrence Mulenga, Willard Mwanza (both Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco).
(DEFENDERS)
Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Kabaso Chongo, Gift Mphande (both Zesco United), Stoppila Sunzu (Changchuan Yatai-China), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain FC-Bahrain), David Hamansenya (FC Leganese-Spain), Mathews Banda (Nkana), Obinno Chisala (Al Mereikh-Sudan), Benson Sakala (Bohemians-Czech Republic)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Given Kalusa ( FC MUZA), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy), Wilson Chisala (ZANACO), Kings Kangwa, Joseph Sabobo Banda (both Maccabi Be’er Sheva-Israel), David Simukonda, Pascal Phiri (all Zesco United),Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany)
(STRIKERS)
Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Lustenau-Austria), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan-Israel), Eliya Mandanji (ZANACO)
On paper this team looks good or rather okay even though some inclusion and exclusion are questionable.
i would give an example of Kalichi over Mutandwa. personally i feel Mutandwa should have made the cut over Kalichi based on how he has been performing at club level. Kalichi is a good player/striker but i don’t he’s not what we need at the moment in my opinion. We really need to “rebuild” our national team starting from the ground level, And believe me you Mutandwa is one player we shouldn’t over look cause hes’s an exciting prospect.
We have enough talent for us to tap from. Lets not overlook those that are performing just because the nation has some players who are well known by the masses but yet their performances at both club and country level are below par. At this moment we need proper direction and high level professionalism from all those that are called to the national team. Good luck to everyone and make sure you make the nation proud
I agree with this assessment. Mutandwa has by far the better form. He would have been a better bet for this tournament.
People forget that Zambia’s 2012 squad was filled wirh players who were at top of their game:
– Kennedy Mweene – was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the PSL going into the tournament
– Hichani and Stophilla – were dominating the backline of TP Mazembe, a partnership that translated to the national team
– Isaac Chansa – he had been one of the top performers for Orlando Pirates before the AFCON. Even scoring in one of their cup wins prior to the tourney
– Rainford Kalaba – Talisman at TP Mazembe
– Mayuka – had just had a stellar season at Young Boys, including scoring in the Chamipons/Europa league
– James Chamanga – was a somewhat consistent presence in the Chinese league
All these players came into the tournament brimming with confidence and off very good seasons. Dare I say, this was definitely a factor in Zambia’s performance.
I only make that argument for the sake of Mutandwa who I believe is playing some of his best football and is the statistical choice to be in the team, but I guess Sichone and the technical bench know what they are doing
Mutandwa sure!
Can we get clarification on Chanka Zimba. We know Jadel Katongo has decided to stick it out for England call up. Do you blame him? England are world cup bound! Anyway so what is the case with Chanka Zimba?
I felt Happy Nsiku and Albert Kangwanda…but also we need a real workaholic midfielder in the mold of Prince Mumba or whatever happy to that “Budo” boy who was a relentless runner. We need fearless player in the middle to mop up and break up or as a decoy in our monotonous play. We need a multidirectional play which is not predictable and easily read. Our defense needs not to concede in the first 5,10 15th minutes..which makes the players tired for chasing a game.
I think this selection is the best, why I say so? Because this is the type of which Hev Renard got a cup. Deferent type of languages of people is the best. Now we have a good team, Go Zambia Go.