The Football Association of Zambia has revealed Lusaka as the location for an extensive Africa Cup of Nations training camp involving over 45 players initially.
With manager Avram Grant expected to confirm his finalised 23-man squad later this week ahead of travelling to tournament hosts Ivory Coast, a broad selection will convene in the capital during early January.
Both locally-based talent and established internationals like defender Stopilla Sunzu, midfielder Lubambo Musonda and striker Evans Kangwa seem set to participate in Grant’s preparatory camp.
However, two key attacking weapons in Leicester City’s Patson Daka and Salernitana winger Lameck Banda will only link up with the Chipolopolo at a later date.
Along with Scotland-based midfielder Frankie Musonda, Daka and Banda have been permitted delays easing them into AFCON 2023 to aid avoidance of injury and fatigue.
Nonetheless, an extensive roster will gather following the New Year under Israeli coach Grant’s guide to commence tactical sessions.
Drawn in Group D with Africa’s top-ranked side Morocco, DR Congo and Tanzania, Zambia faces stiff competition to progress from the initial phase.
After disappointing early exits in the last two editions, the 2012 champions are focused on restoring former glories.
Goals proved extremely hard to come by in qualifying as Zambia narrowly edged Botswana over two legs despite scoring only once.
Therefore Grant will spend valuable time assessing attacking options to spark an improved threat in Ivory Coast, where they hold an opening match against Tanzania on January 11th.
