Lwandamina demands hard work

Chipolopolo interim Coach George Lwandamina is demanding hard work from players as Zambia begins preliminary preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign that kicks off next month. Zambia will face Algeria away in Algiers on match day one in the first…

Chipolopolo interim Coach George Lwandamina is demanding hard work from players as Zambia begins preliminary preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign that kicks off next month.

Zambia will face Algeria away in Algiers on match day one in the first week of September, before hosting Togo in match day two days later.

Speaking during the local camp in Lusaka on Friday, Lwandamina said national team places should not come easily.

“National team places should not come easily. If there is competition in a team, then you have a team. If players can fight for places, then you have a team. Players have to work extra harder,” he said.

Lwandamina has named a 28-member squad for the local camp ahead of the qualifiers.

The assemblage is a mix of young players who featured at the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana and part of the group that played Argentina in a friendly in Buenos Aires in March this year.

He said local players must sweat to earn the few slots in the final Chipolopolo squad that will be dominated by foreign-based players.

“This is an initial preparatory camp and after a week or two we will reconvene more especially with the locals. As you may be aware foreign based players can only come two weeks before the games so we have to train with the locals hoping one, two or three will make it into the final squad. Foreign based players are active and that is where most of the team will come from,” Lwandamina said.

Lwandamina left out players who have club commitments with Power Dynamos, Red Arrows and Zesco United.

Zambia is in Group I of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

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

Defenders

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

Midfielders

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

Strikers

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