Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant has unveiled a 31-member provisional squad for the September 8 Group E FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco.
During a media briefing at Football House, Grant says the team will be trimmed to 24 in the final stanza.
The announcement sees the return of fit-again Lameck Banda, Mwenya Chibwe and Fashion Sakala.
Grant says the return of some players to the squad would increase healthy competition.
“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,” says Grant.
“I think we have a healthy competition, it is a good competition. I have a position with a few players that will fight for their place.”
Grant says China based Stoppila Sunzu and Tandi Mwape would be unavailable due to injury.
He says the squad would be subjected to a stringent physical test by physical trainer Jamie Lawrence before trimming the number to 24
“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,” he says.
“Then we will reduce the squad. We want to see if the players are in good shape or not in good shape. We will test them. Jamie (Lawrence) will test them. I will test them. 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?”
Grant says Morocco would present a good challenge for the Chipolopolo.
“Morocco is really great; it is a good challenge for us. I think as a Zambian, we need this challenge,” he says.
“So all these games are good for us. We will never give up as s long as I am here.”
Zambia hosts Morocco on September 8 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Tickets are already selling across Shoprite outlets via Computicket with the early bird pegged at K30, K50 (North& South), East (K100), West (K150) and VIP (K300).
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Mwenya Chibwe (Zesco United)
(DEFENDERS)
Frankie Musonda (AYR United-Scotland), Kabaso Chongo, Benedict Chepeshi, Gift Mphande (all Zesco United), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Obinno Chisala (El Merreikh-Sudan), David Hamansenya (Leganes-Spain), Mathews Banda (Nkana)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany), Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905-Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy), Kings Kangwa, Joseph Sabobo Banda (both Hapoel Be’er Sheva-Israel), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic), Kelvin Kampamba, Abraham Siankombo (Zesco United), Emmanuel Banda (Maccabi Bnei-Israel), Gift Siame (CD Leganes-Spain), Saddam Phiri (Red Arrows), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Songa Chipyoka (Hapoel Petah Tikva-Israel)
(FORWARDS)
Kingstone Mutandwa (SV Ried-Austria), Edward Chilufya (Midtylland-Denmark), Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan-Israel), Fashion Sakala (Al-Fayha FC-Saudi Arabia)
