Zambia Under-23 National Team coach Beston Chambeshi has named 8 foreign-based players in his final 21-member squad for the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The young Chipolopolo coach has named the KV Oostende duo of Fashion Sakala and Emmanuel Banda, he as also named Zambia’s flag bearers in Uefa Champions league Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu of Austrian Champions Redbull Salzburg.
The rest of the European legion includes Edward ‘Tiger’ Chilufya (Djurgardens) who has been out for some time due to injuries and Klings Kangwa, Lameck Banda (both Arsenal Tula). Completing the list of foreign-based players in South Africa based Bradley Mweene.
Chambeshi has carried a large number of his local squad that has been in camp for the last three weeks. As per tradition just like before the 2017 U20 Afcon and 2017 U20 World cup the team is expected to camp in Spain before heading to Cairo for the tournament.
Zambia is in Group B alongside the defending champions Nigeria, South Africa, and Ivory Coast.
The tournament takes place from November 8-22. The top three teams at the tournament will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
FINAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Patrick Chooma (Kabwe Youth Academy), Bradley Mweene (Real Kings-RSA)
(DEFENDERS)
Moses Nyondo (Nkana), Prosper Chiluya (Kabwe Warriors), Kebson Kamanga (Zanaco), Shemmy Mayembe, Solomon Sakala (both Zesco United)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Field Kandela (Kabwe Warriors), Harrison Chisala, Oliver Lumbiya (Nkana), Enock Mwepu (Red Bull Salzburg-Austria), Emmanuel Banda (Ostende-Belgium), Edward Chilufya (Djurgardens-Sweden), Benson Chali (Forest Rangers), Ngosa Sunzu (Buildcon), Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia)
(STRIKERS)
Patson Daka (Red Bull Salzburg-Austria), Biston Banda (Buildcon), Lameck Banda (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Fashion Sakala (Ostende-Belgium)
Afcon under 23, here we come!
Heeeeeeh team looks good!!?
This time even if Mangani feels sick, we can’t feel sick too.
They say defense is weak, but those look solid, even without Boyd Musonda in front of them.
Can’t wait…
This list shows only 5 defenders in the squad. If so then the team is not balanced . Why do we have 9 midfielders? And many of them play the same position. If 1or 2 defenders gets injured or red carded then we have no replacements.
That’s a very valid point @ Vennbos
Because all those selected are better than them. Name just one that should be replaced by the 2.
Anonymous s, this post up is meant for you. You want Zambia to take a squad of 100 players. I am not sure your 2 boys will make, meaning increase to 300. FIFA decides. Selection of players by Chambeshi is based on current form and not vwa chimbuya chekeko. That is why this team is where it is. Tell your 2 boys to pull thier socks. It is football and not rugby
Mwepu can play in central defence he has done that at Red Bull. Daka can on the right wing he has done that at Red Bull as well. Both with success. He played in the same postion of the friendly Vs Madrid match and kept the much talked Eden Harzad quite. I watched the hame. Mwepu is an allround player
What happened to Boyd Musonda and Malumo?
They were notgood enough. There are 8/9 based in Europe in the squad that specks volumes
I was made to believe that Mwepu and Daka’s club was not releasing them for this tournament. How true was /is that story.
I do not see the reason why? cause Red Bulls have no important games. The only reason they can come late will if their tying op contracts with big spending European clubs, as the 2 are very sought players big teams in Europe that everyone will understand
Cause the transfer window is on in some countries. I know it can only be Italy, UK, Spain, Germany or England
That’s the story on the ground. FAZ need to confirm if foreign based players will be released by their clubs. For this tournament foreign based clubs are not obliged to release the players. This would have to be an arrangement between FAZ and the clubs. Mwepu, Daka and Sakala are dependable players for their clubs which makes this a tricky situation.
If patson Daka, mwepu and fashion are not coming then we are in trouble. It means our team is incomplete.
easy
I read some where that Patson and Mwepu will for the second game as Red Bull made a rquest to FAZ to keep them Champions league games for their club which is okay. I read their club wanted to use them but a look at ther fixtures I think they will be available. Hope the 2 will
Red Bull have no champions league game until next year
I wont be surprised just look at Mwepus current market value (364,250,000 million pounds britis)https://www.transfermarkt.com/enock-mwepu/marktwertverlauf/spieler/490307
Patsn 2,585,780
2,585,780 for Patson
Euros for it is euros
patsons is in dollars
I think Chambeshi should clear the issue then. It could a stunt by Chambeshi to make SA go to sleep and feel confort to see the during warming baishaba