Coach Avram Grant Names Provisional Squad For Morocco Includes Fashion, Lameck & Patson
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant has named a 31-member provisional squad for the crucial September 8 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco in Ndola.
The announcement, made during a media briefing at Football House, sees the return of key players Lameck Banda, Mwenya Chibwe, and Fashion Sakala, who have all recovered from injury.
Grant emphasized that the return of these players creates a positive environment. “I think it is a very healthy competition because these players that have come now, even though they are very good players, need to prove themselves like the players that played in the last qualification,” he said. “I have a position with a few players that will fight for their place.”
However, the team will be without China-based defenders Stoppila Sunzu and Tandi Mwape due to injury.
The coach confirmed that the squad will be reduced to 24 players after a stringent physical assessment. Physical trainer Jamie Lawrence will lead the testing to evaluate the players’ fitness at the start of the European season.
“August is a tricky one for players because it’s the beginning of the season. Some players are playing, some are training, some players didn’t start in the league,” Grant explained. “We want to see if the players are in good shape or not… We will see who is in good shape and who is not. Who worked in the summer and who didn’t work in the summer?”
Looking ahead to the match, Grant acknowledged the challenge posed by Morocco but welcomed it. “Morocco is really great; it is a good challenge for us. I think as a Zambian, we need this challenge,” he stated. “We will never give up as long as I am here.”
Match Details:
Zambia will host Morocco on September 8 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune United, South Africa)
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos, Zambia)
Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows, Zambia)
Mwenya Chibwe (Zesco United, Zambia)
DEFENDERS
Frankie Musonda (AYR United, Scotland)
Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United, Zambia)
Benedict Chepeshi (Zesco United, Zambia)
Gift Mphande (Zesco United, Zambia)
Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos, Zambia)
Obinno Chisala (El Merreikh, Sudan)
David Hamansenya (Leganes, Spain)
Mathews Banda (Nkana, Zambia)
MIDFIELDERS
Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg, Germany)
Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Republic)
Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland)
Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy)
Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic)
Kelvin Kampamba (Zesco United, Zambia)
Abraham Siankombo (Zesco United, Zambia)
Emmanuel Banda (Maccabi Bnei, Israel)
Gift Siame (CD Leganes, Spain)
Saddam Phiri (Red Arrows, Zambia)
Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy)
Songa Chipyoka (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel)
FORWARDS
Kingstone Mutandwa (SV Ried, Austria)
Edward Chilufya (Midtylland, Denmark)
Patson Daka (Leicester City, England)
Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel)
Fashion Sakala (Al-Fayha FC, Saudi Arabia)
