Zambia head coach Avram Grant has announced a 24-man provisional squad for their final two matches in this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Afrosport reports.
The Chipolopolo are up against Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone, and the 69-year-old tactician has called back Simba SC winger Joshua Mutale and Ukraine-based Golden Mafwenta to the squad.
Lecce winger Lameck Banda also makes a return after missing last month’s qualifiers against Chad due to injury, while other notable names on the list include Kennedy Musonda, Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, and the experienced Stoppila Sunzu, who was part of their AFCON-winning team in 2012.
Grant, however, will be without some big names, as the likes of Leicester City forward Patson Daka, Saudi-based Fashion Sakala Jr., Kingstone Mutandwa, Lubambo Musonda, and Miguel Chaiwa are all sidelined due to injury.
Zambia will face the Elephants of Ivory Coast on Friday, November 15, at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, before taking on the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Liberia four days later.
The Chipolopolo, who are expected to resume camp for their battle against the Ivorians on Monday, November 11 in Ndola, are currently second in Group G with seven points after two wins as well as a draw and a loss.
They sit two points behind group leaders Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone sits third with four points, while Chad is bottom with just two points.
Zambia’s full 24-man provisional squad to face Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone
Goalkeepers: Toaster Nsabata (ZESCO United), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
Defenders: Benedict Chepeshi, Tandi Mwape (Both ZESCO United), Gift Mpande (Hapoel Rishona Lezion, Israel), Stoppila Sunzu (Changchun Yatai FC, China), Kabaso Chongo (Kabwe Warriors), Frankie Chisenga Musonda (AYR, Scotland), Obino Chisala (Costa Do Sol, Mozambique), Kebson Kamanga (Red Arrows)
Midfielders: Benson Sakala (Boleslav Mlada, Czech Republic), Golden Mafwenta (FC Metalist 1925, Ukraine), Emmanuel Banda (Al Tai, Saudi Arabia), Klings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Joshua Mutale (Simba SC, Tanzania)
Forwards: Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba (Al Nasr SC, Libya), Kennedy Musonda, Clatous Chota Chama (Both Young Africans), Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Songa Chipyoka (Petah Tikva, Israel), Francisco Mwepu (Cadiz, Spain), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows)
