Lwandamina Names 30-Man Chipolopolo Squad for Back-to-Back Burundi AFCON Qualifiers
Chipolopolo interim coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina has named a 30-member provisional squad for Zambia’s back-to-back Group I Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burundi, blending foreign-based players with some of the country’s top-performing local talents.
In-form ZESCO United striker Kennedy Musonda, fit-again Red Arrows defender Zephaniah Phiri and the impressive Ackim Mumba are among the notable inclusions.
Portugal-based forward Chanka Zimba has also returned to the national team setup after finding a new club, while Gift Mphande of ZESCO United has earned a call-up following his performances.
The team is expected to set up camp in Ndola on Thursday, with some foreign-based players scheduled to join once the FIFA international window opens on November 9. Lwandamina is expected to trim the provisional squad to 26 players during the final stages of preparation.
Zambia will host Burundi at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on November 13 before travelling to Bujumbura for the return fixture on November 17.
Algeria currently leads Group I with four points, while Zambia sits second on three points, level with third-placed Togo. Burundi occupies the bottom position with one point after two rounds of matches.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, branded AFCON PAMOJA 2027, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Some players have been left out of the assignment because they are part of the U-23 squad scheduled to face Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou on November 11 before hosting the return fixture at National Heroes Stadium four days later.
FULL PROVISIONAL CHIPOLPOLO SQUAD
Goalkeepers
- Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)
- Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)
- Luka Mainza (Red Arrows)
- Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)
Defenders
- Mathews Banda (Bohemians Praha FC, Czech Republic)
- Zephaniah Phiri (Red Arrows)
- Owen Mwamba (Red Arrows)
- David Hamansenya (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic)
- Gift Mphande (ZESCO United)
- Tinklar Sinkala (Zanaco)
- Ricky Chanda (Nomme United, Estonia)
- Jackson Phiri (Konkola Blades)
- Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos)
- William Kamwanga (Mufulira Wanderers)
Midfielders
- Lameck Banda (Sewhly FC, Libya)
- Gamphani Lungu (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
- Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos)
- Wilson Chisala (Power Dynamos)
- Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)
- Obino Chisala (Al Merreikh, Sudan)
- Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland)
- Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy)
- Ackim Mumba (Red Arrows)
- Kelvin Mwanza (FC Muza)
- Allan Mumba (ZESCO United)
Forwards
- Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia)
- Albert Kangwanda (Young Africans, Tanzania)
- Patson Daka (Hamburg, Germany)
- Kennedy Musonda (ZESCO United)
- Chanka Zimba (Vitroia De Sernoche, Portugal)
