Local Chipolopolo Boys coach Wedson Nyirenda has named a mixture of newcomers and regulars in his 35 member provisional squad ahead of the 2025 COSAFA Cup.
Zambia will use the 2025 COSAFA Cup tournament as preparation for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament set for later this year.
Nyirenda has handed call ups to Makeni All Stars striker Kenani Phiri who scored two goals in the 2025 ABSA Cup Competition leading the lower tier side to the round of 16.
Nyirenda has also handed call ups to Barts FC duo of defender Jackson Phiri and winger Martin Mweemba.
Kansanshi Dynamos’ Skipper Rodgers Lukonde and Atletico Lusaka winger Timothy Sichalwe have also been included in the provisional squad.
Regulars Abraham Siankombo, Fred Mulambia, Golden Mashata, Andrew Phiri, Kelvin Kapumbu, Killian Kanguluma, Dominic Chanda and Lawrence Mulenga have all been included.
Zambia U20 national team duo of Happy Nsiku and Mathews Banda have also made the cut together with 2017 U20 AFCON winner Mangani Banda.
There is however there is no space for Willard Mwanza who displaced Lawrence Mulenga at Power Dynamos towards the end of the season, ZESCO United duo of Pascal Phiri and David Simukonda, Austin Muwowo and Brian Masanyinga, Prince Mumba, and Innocent Kashita.
The Chipolopolo Boys have lifted the coveted COSAFA Cup more times than any other nation (7), one ahead of Zimbabwe (6).
Nyirenda will hope to guide his team to a record extending eighth title after last year’s disappointing showing that saw the team eliminated in the group stage losing all their three group matches.
The record seven-time champions Zambia were drawn in Group D of the 2025 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup and will face Comoros and Botswana in this year’s edition set for June 4–15 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The 2025 edition of the COSAFA Cup has also seen the inclusion of 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, who will be making their debut as tournament guests. Morocco are placed in Group C alongside Madagascar and Eswatini.
COSAFA Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers; Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Mangani Banda (Kabwe Warriors), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)
Defenders; Happy Nsiku (Red Arrows), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Jackson Phiri (Barts FC), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Mathews Banda, Kendrick Mumba (Both Nkana), Fred Mwaiche (ZESCO United), Frederick Mwimanzi (ZANACO), Rodgers Lukonde (Kansanshi Dynamos).
Midfielders; Kelvin Kapumbu (ZANACO), Collins Makungu (Mufulira Wanderers), Luka Mutoshi, Kenneth Kasanga (Both Nkwazi), Harrison Chisala, Charles Zulu ( Both Nkana), Owen Tembo, Fred Mulambia (Both Power Dynamos), Anthony Chiyuka, Abraham Siankombo (Both ZESCO United), Martin Mweemba (Barts FC), Ackim Mumba (Red Arrows), Timothy Sichalwe (Atletico Lusaka), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Elliot Kampukesa ( Nchanga Rangers).
Strikers; Kelvin Mwanza, Andrew Phiri (FC MUZA), Titus Chansa (Power Dynamos), Evans Kayombo (NAPSA Stars), Kenani Phiri (Makeni All Stars), Simon Mulenga (Green Eagles), Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows)
wada is just an average coach