Lwandamina names Chipolopolo squad

Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has named a 28-member squad for the local camp ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers set for next month. According to a posting on the official Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Facebook page, Lwandamina’s local…

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

According to a posting on the official Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Facebook page, Lwandamina’s local 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 match in Buenos Aires in March this year.

The Nchanga Rangers tactician has summoned the Zanaco FC defensive pair of Frederick Mwimanzi and Tinkler Sinkala to the local camp.

Completing the list of defenders are Green Eagles’ Headson Paina, Joseph Mulenga of Nchanga Rangers FC and Jackson Phiri of Konkola Blades FC.

Also summoned for the assignment are Yoram Chanda of Kabwe Warriors FC and Mufulira Wanderers’ William Kamwanga.

The veteran gaffer has also handed call-ups to the Zambia Under-17 quartet of goalkeeper Christo Chitambala, left-back Jonathan Kalimina, winger Kelvin Chipelu and striker Abel Salim Nyirongo.

Green Eagles’ newly acquired striker Rickson Ng’ambi leads the local Bullets alongside team-mate Derrick Bulaya.

Lwandamina has also included the FC MUZA trio of Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa and Chanda Chileshe, while Humphrey Bwembya of Kabwe Warriors, Nchanga Rangers’ Elliot Kampukesa and Nkana’s Nduna Zulu are also part of the midfield.

Zambia, who are in Group I of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi, will face Algeria away for match day one before hosting Togo in match day two in September.

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).

NOTE: This assessment camp does not include players from the two CAF envoys, Power Dynamos and Red Arrows, while ZESCO United players are also unavailable due to the club’s ongoing pre-season engagements in Tanzania.