Lwandamina names Chipolopolo squad: Chama, Mumba miss out

Captain Fashion Sakala will lead a 27-member Chipolopolo squad named by Coach George Lwandamina for Zambia’s back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Togo this month-end. Lwandamina unveiled the squad at a media briefing in Lusaka, expressing…

Captain Fashion Sakala will lead a 27-member Chipolopolo squad named by Coach George Lwandamina for Zambia’s back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Togo this month-end.

Lwandamina unveiled the squad at a media briefing in Lusaka, expressing confidence that Zambia will excel in the AFCON qualifying campaign.

Zambia will face Algeria on 25 September in Algiers before hosting Togo on 29 September at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola.

Besides Saudi Arabia-based captain Sakala, other key names include Lameck Banda- recently moved to Libya and Gamphani Lungu – Orlando Pirates, South Africa.

Missing from the squad are inform and local star Ackim Mumba of Red Arrows, Tanzania based Cletus Chama, winger Lubambo Musonda, enterprising Joseph Sabobo Banda, South Africa based keeper Toaster Nsabata and midfielder Kings Kangwa, who is suspended.

Panathinaikos midfielder Kangwa will miss both games as he serves a four-match CAF ban imposed after an incident involving match officials during Zambia’s final group-stage match at AFCON 2025 against Morocco.

Coach Lwandamina says the team is ready for the challenge.

“We also played Argentina, so we measured our prowess, so we understand what is ahead of us,” Lwandamina said.

He added: “Zambian fans have an obligation to support the National Team.”

Zambia is in Group I alongside Algeria, Togo, and Burundi.

The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda under the banner TotalEnergies AFCON Pamoja 2027.”

Top two teams in nine of the 12 groups will qualify automatically.

In Groups D, H, L – where the three host nations are – only one slot will be available.

FULL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Luka Mainza (Red Arrows) Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

DEFENDERS

Mathews Banda (Bohemians Praha, Czech), Owen Mwamba (Red Arrows), Obinno Chisala (Al Merreikh, Sudan), David Hamasenya (Slovan Liberec, Czech), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Tinkler Sinkala (Zanaco), Ricky Chanda (Nõmme United, Estonia) Fredrick Mwimanzi (Zanaco)

MIDFIELDERS

Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), Wilson Chisala (Power Dynamos), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy), Miguel Changa Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland), David Simukonda (El Gouna, Egypt), Given Kalusa (FC Muza), Pascol Phiri (Al-ittihad Alexandria, Egypt)

FORWARDS

Gamphani Lungu (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Lameck Banda (Swehly, Libya) Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Patson Daka (Hamburg, Germany), Kingstone Mutandwa (Serviette, Switzerland), Albert Kangwanda (Young Africans, Tanzania), Eliya Mandanji (Red Arrows), Chanka Zimba (Unattached).