Mabika, Chaiwa, and Kennedy Musonda back in Grant’s 55-member squad.

Mabika, Chaiwa, and Kennedy Musonda back in Grant’s 55-member squad.

Miguel Chaiwa, Aime Mabika, and Kennedy Musonda have received call-ups in Avram Grant’s latest preliminary squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Grant has unveiled his provisional squad, consisting of 55 members, in accordance with the CAF tournament schedule requirements for the Côte d’Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Musonda, Mabika, and Chaiwa make their return to the squad after missing several previous assignments.

In addition to the familiar faces, Grant has brought back goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and midfielder Patson Kwataime from Mufulira Wanderers. The squad also features young talents such as Peter Chikola, Albert Kangwanda, Francisco Mwepu, and Teddy Khumalo.

December 14 has been set as the deadline by CAF for participating teams to submit their provisional squads, with a maximum limit of 55 players. Grant has expanded his selection to include the best local talents and promising young players from foreign leagues.

The former Chelsea, West Ham, and Portsmouth boss emphasizes quality, passion, and a strong desire to represent one’s country as the minimum criteria for making his squad.

According to the CAF roadmap, all teams are expected to reveal their final squads by January 3. Zambia is placed in Group F alongside Congo DR, Morocco, and Tanzania, with the Chipolopolo based in the port city of San Pedro.

The Chipolopolo will kick off their AFCON campaign on January 17 against Congo, followed by matches against Morocco four days later and Tanzania on January 24 to conclude the group stage.

FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)

(DEFENDERS)

Stoppilla Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou-China), Frankie Musonda (Ayr United-Scotland), Aime Mabika (Toronto FC-Canada), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Mathews Chabala (Zesco United), Gift Mphande (Rishon-Lezion-Israel), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards), Rodrick Kabwe (Zakho SC-Iraq), Frederick Mwaiche (Trident), Teddy Khumalo (Green Buffaloes), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Mannah Chiwisa (Atalanta-Italy), Jack Chirwa (Forest Rangers), Dominic Kanda (Zanaco), Benson Sakala (Mlada Boleslav-Czech Republic), Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Kampamba, Abraham Siankombo (all Zesco United), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic), Andrew Muphande, John Kosamu (both Green Buffaloes), Kings Kangwa (Crvena Zvezda-Serbia), Emmanuel Banda (HNK Rijeka-Croatia), Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune-RSA), Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania), Frederick Mulambia, Joshua Mutale (both Power Dynamos), Patson Kwataine (Mufulira Wanderers), Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United-RSA), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg IF-Denamrk), Edward Chilufya Hacken-Sweden), Charles Zulu (Zanaco), Peter Chikola (Cadiz-Spain)

(STRIKERS)

Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Albert Kangwanda (Al Hilal-Sudan), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Evans Kangwa (Quingdao Hainiu-China), Francisco Mwepu (Athletico Sanluqueno CF-Spain), Brian Mwila (Zanaco), Moyela Libamba (Forest Rangers), Andrew Phiri (FC Muza), Enock Sakala, Lazarous Kambole (both Zesco United), Kingstone Mutandwa (Cagliari-Italy), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans-Tanzania)