George Lwandamina names 28-man Zambia squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers local camp

Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has named a 28-member squad for a local assessment camp ahead of Zambia’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers next month.

The squad, announced by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) on its official Facebook page, features a blend of emerging talent and players who have recently been involved with the senior national team.

Lwandamina has particularly rewarded several youngsters who impressed during the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana, while also including members of the group that faced world champions Argentina in a friendly in Buenos Aires in March.

The Nchanga Rangers tactician has handed call-ups to Zanaco FC defensive duo Frederick Mwimanzi and Tinkler Sinkala as he begins preparations for Zambia’s opening qualifiers.

They are joined in defence by Green Eagles’ Headson Paina, Joseph Mulenga of Nchanga Rangers and Jackson Phiri of Konkola Blades.

Kabwe Warriors defender Yoram Chanda and Mufulira Wanderers’ William Kamwanga complete the experienced options in the defensive department.

U-17 stars earn senior recognition

Lwandamina has also opened the door to Zambia’s next generation, with four members of the Under-17 setup included in the assessment squad.

Goalkeeper Christo Chitambala, left-back Jonathan Kalimina, winger Kelvin Chipelu and striker Abel Salim Nyirongo have all been handed opportunities to train with the senior side.

The inclusion of the youngsters underlines Lwandamina’s willingness to assess Zambia’s emerging talent as he builds a squad capable of competing in the AFCON qualifying campaign.

Green Eagles’ newly acquired striker Rickson Ng’ambi is another notable inclusion and will be joined by club teammate Derrick Bulaya in the attacking department.

FC MUZA supplies three midfielders in Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa and Chanda Chileshe, while Kabwe Warriors’ Humphrey Bwembya, Nchanga Rangers’ Elliot Kampukesa and Nkana’s Nduna Zulu have also been selected.

Zanaco provides three more midfield options in Francis Banda, Dominic Kanda and Ian Sindaye, with Golden Mashata of Green Buffaloes and Patson Kwataine of Mufulira Wanderers completing the midfield contingent.

Zambia face Algeria, Togo and Burundi

The Chipolopolo have been drawn in Group I of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi.

Zambia will begin their campaign away against Algeria before returning home to face Togo in matchday two in September.

The local camp is expected to give Lwandamina an opportunity to assess domestic-based players before the squad is strengthened with the country’s foreign-based stars for the qualifiers.

However, the assessment exercise will not feature players from Zambia’s two CAF representatives, Power Dynamos and Red Arrows.

ZESCO United players are also unavailable, with the club currently engaged in pre-season preparations in Tanzania.

Full 28-man squad

Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda (Green Eagles), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Bradley Mweene (Nkwazi), Christo Chitambala (Kabwe Warriors).

Defenders: Jonathan Kalimina (Kafue Celtic), Headson Paina (Green Eagles), Joseph Mulenga (Nchanga Rangers), Jackson Phiri (Konkola Blades), Frederick Mwimanzi and Tinkler Sinkala (Zanaco), Yoram Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), William Kamwanga (Mufulira Wanderers).

Midfielders: Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa and Chanda Chileshe (FC MUZA), Humphrey Bwembya (Kabwe Warriors), Elliot Kampukesa (Nchanga Rangers), Nduna Zulu (Nkana), Francis Banda, Dominic Kanda and Ian Sindaye (Zanaco), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Patson Kwataine (Mufulira Wanderers), Kelvin Chipelu (Forest Rangers).

Strikers: Bridger Ngandu (FC MUZA), Abel Nyirongo (Atletico Lusaka), Derrick Bulaya and Rickson Ng’ambi (Green Eagles).