Lwandamina Begins Local Bullets Assessment With 28-Player Squad
Chipolopolo head coach George Lwandamina has named a 28-member squad for a local assessment camp as Zambia begins preparations for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The squad features a blend of young players who impressed at the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana and members of the team that faced Argentina in an international friendly in Buenos Aires earlier this year.
Among the notable call-ups are Zanaco’s defensive pairing of Frederick Mwimanzi and Tinkler Sinkala, while Green Eagles defender Headson Paina, Nchanga Rangers’ Joseph Mulenga and Konkola Blades’ Jackson Phiri have also been included.
Lwandamina has further handed opportunities to four Under-17 players, including 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 attacking options alongside teammate Derrick Bulaya. FC MUZA contributes three midfielders in Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa and Chanda Chileshe, while other midfield options include Humphrey Bwembya, Elliot Kampukesa and Nduna Zulu.
Zambia are drawn in Group I of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi. The Chipolopolo will begin their campaign away to Algeria before hosting Togo in their second match in September.
The assessment camp does not include players from Power Dynamos and Red Arrows, Zambia’s two CAF representatives, while ZESCO United players are unavailable due to the club’s ongoing pre-season programme in Tanzania.
Full 28-Member Squad
Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda, Victor Chabu, Bradley Mweene, Christo Chitambala.
Defenders: Jonathan Kalimina, Headson Paina, Joseph Mulenga, Jackson Phiri, Frederick Mwimanzi, Tinkler Sinkala, Yoram Chanda, William Kamwanga.
Midfielders: Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa, Chanda Chileshe, Humphrey Bwembya, Elliot Kampukesa, Nduna Zulu, Francis Banda, Dominic Kanda, Ian Sindaye, Golden Mashata, Patson Kwataine, Kelvin Chipelu.
Strikers: Bridger Ngandu, Abel Nyirongo, Derrick Bulaya, Rickson Ng’ambi.
