Chipolopolo interim coach ‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina has named a 30-member provisional squad for the back-to-back Group I Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burundi.
Lwandamina has named a blend of foreign based players and top performing local players with in-form Zesco United striker Kennedy Musonda, fit-again Red Arrows defender Zephaniah Phiri and the red-hot airman Ackim Mumba making the cut.
Portugal domiciled Chanka Zimba has made a return to the squad after finding a new base while Gift Mphande has gotten a look in by the technical bench.
The team will set up base in Ndola on Thursday with some foreign based players expected to join camp when the FIFA Window opens on 9 November. Lwandamina is expected to trim the squad to 26 in the final stages of preparation.
Zambia hosts Burundi on 13 November in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium before trekking to Bujumbura for the return leg four days later. Algeria tops Group I with four points with Zambia lying second on three points while Togo is third with as many points.
Burundi lies bottom with a point after two rounds of matches. The AFCON PAMOJA 2027 which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will run from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Willard Mwanza, Lawrence Mulenga (both Power Dynamos), Luka Mainza (Red Arrows), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)
(DEFENDERS)
Mathews Banda (Bohemians Praha FC-Czech Republic), Zephaniah Phiri, Owen Mwamba (both Red Arrows), David Hamansenya (FC Slovan Liberec-Czech Republic), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Tinklar Sinkala (Zanaco), Ricky Chanda (Nomme United-Estonia), Jackson Phiri (Konkola Blades), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), William Kamwanga (Mufulira Wanderers).
(MIDFIELDERS)
Lameck Banda (Sewhly FC-Libya), Gamphani Lungu (Orlando Pirates-South Africa), Joshua Mutale, Wilson Chisala, Owen Tembo (all Power Dynamos), Obino Chisala (Al Merreikh-Sudan), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy), Ackim Mumba (Red Arrows), Kelvin Mwanza (FC Muza), Allan Mumba (Zesco United).
(FORWARDS)
Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Albert Kangwanda (Young Africans-Tanzania), Patson Daka (Hamburg-Germany), Kennedy Musonda (Zesco United), Chanka Zimba (Vitroia De Sernoche-Portugal).
