Zambia turn to home-based talent ahead of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Zambia head coach George Lwandamina has selected 28 players from the domestic league for an assessment camp as preparations begin for the country’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The squad includes promising young players, members of the team that took part in the recent Four Nations Tournament and footballers who featured in Zambia’s friendly against Argentina. However, Lwandamina, who is in charge of Nchanga Rangers, was unable to select players from clubs involved in CAF competitions or from ZESCO United, who are currently in pre-season.

The camp is intended to help the coaching staff identify the best locally based players to complement Zambia’s overseas-based footballers when the qualifiers begin.

Four players promoted from Zambia’s under-17 team are among the notable selections. Goalkeeper Christo Chitambala, full-back Jonathan Kalimina, winger Kelvin Chipelu and forward Abel Nyirongo have all been included.

The defence features the Zanaco partnership of Frederick Mwimanzi and Tinkler Sinkala, while Green Eagles provide the attacking pairing of Rickson Ng’ambi and Derrick Bulaya.

Zambia have been drawn in Group I alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi. Their qualifying campaign will begin in September with a difficult away match against Algeria, followed by a home fixture against Togo.

The current gathering will therefore give Lwandamina and his staff an opportunity to establish the core of the domestic-based squad before those two important matches. Players from clubs unavailable for this camp, as well as Zambians based abroad, will be considered as the squad takes shape for the qualifying fixtures.

The 28-player squad is:

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 (Zanaco), Tinkler Sinkala (Zanaco), Yoram Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), William Kamwanga (Mufulira Wanderers).

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

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