Zambia U20 coach Chisi Mbewe will lead the Chipolopolo at the 2024 COSAFA Cup that kicks off on June 26.

Mbewe has named a 27-man provisional squad for next week’s regional tournament due in South Africa from June 26-July 7 in Gqeberha.

It’s an all-local Chipolopolo squad for Mbewe except for Al Hilal striker Albert Kangwanda who is on loan at former club Red Arrows due to events taking place in the country.

Mbewe will be assisted on the technical bench by Mwenya Chipepo while Donewell Yobe will be the physical trainer. Emmanuel Msichili will be the goalkeeper coach while Lombe Chipupu will be the team manager.

There are a number of untested new players in the team including 19-year-old Zesco United midfielder David Simukonda and the U20 duo of Mathews Banda and Sekanji Siame who at 18 is the youngest in the Chipolopolo team.

The defending champions will tackle guests Kenya on 27 June at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium before entertaining arch-rivals Zimbabwe in a Group B tussle at Wolfson stadium on 30 June. Their final group engagement will be against Islanders Comoros on 2 July.

Zambia squad; GOALKEEPERS; Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows).

DEFENDERS; Mathews Chabala (ZESCO United), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Chitoshi Chinga, Mathews Banda (both Nkana FC), John Chishimba (ZESCO United), Owen Mwamba (Mufulira Wanderers), Sekanji Siame (Konkola Blades), Zachariah Chilongoshi (NAPSA Stars), Brian Chilimina (Red Arrows).

MIDFIELDERS; Dickson Chapa (NAPSA Stars), Frederick Mulambia, Austin Muwowo (both Power Dynamos), Abraham Siankombo, Kelvin Kapumbu, David Simukonda (All ZESCO United), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), Saddam Yusuf Phiri (Red Arrows), Kelvin Mwanza (FC MUZA), Charles Majapa Mumba (Green Buffaloes).

STRIKERS; Albert Kangwanda (Al Hilal-Sudan, Andrew Phiri (FC MUZA), Jimmy Mukeya (Kansanshi Dynamos), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Enock Sakala Jr (ZESCO United).