China based defender Stophila Sunzu will join the team in Ndola after completing his club commitments.
The 2012 AFCON winner will fly directly to Ndola after playing for his club on Saturday in a League match.
Sunzu’s Jinan Xingzhou will be away to Shanghai Jiading Huilong in a week 9 Jia League encounter on Saturday at 13:30 Zambian time.
This means the lanky defender will miss the Copper Bullets week long camp in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Coach Avram Grant and his team are currently in Johannesburg fine tuning the team ahead of the clash against the Elephants.
Zambia will host Côte D’Ivoire at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on 17th June in an AFCON 2023 round 5 qualifier.
Ivory Coast are unbeaten on 10 points while Zambia are second on 9 points and need just a point to secure promotion to their first continental football showpiece since 2015.
Comoros and Lesotho are on 3 and a point respectively.
FULL SQUAD :
Goalkeepers
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune United-RSA), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)
Defenders
Frankie Musonda (Ayr United-Scotland), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Gift Mphande (Atletico Lusaka), Samson Mkandawire, Kelvin Kapumbu (both Zesco United), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe-DRC), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Roderick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United-RSA), Pride Mwansa (Nkwazi), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov- Czech Republic)
Midfielders
Kings Kangwa (Red Star Belgrade-Serbia), Emmanuel Banda (Rijeka-Croatia), Rarry Bwalya (Amazulu FC-RSA), Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania), Patson Kwataine (Mufulira Wanderers), Lubambo Musonda (AC Horsens-Denmark), Kelvin Kampamba (Zesco United), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Gamphani Lungu (Supersport United-RSA)
Forwards
Fashion Sakala (Rangers-Scotland), Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Andrew Phiri (FC MUZA), Francisco Mwepu (Cadiz CF-Spain)
I can’t see Edward ‘Tiger’ Chilufya
He is Injured
How can Sunzu play in the team if he misses the South Africa training camp?
This will make coordinatjon difficult iat the back.
This Coach is slowly but surely jellying the team…. The only problem I see in this team is the striking force. We do not have sharp players who can turn things around. Why has he left out Friday Samu who appears to be more forceful than Francesco Mwepu?
Aime Mabika when is he joining????