Zambia U-23 Set for Burkina Faso Test as Mbewe Names Final Squad

Zambia Under-23 national team head coach Chisi Mbewe has named his final 22-member squad ahead of the back-to-back 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Burkina Faso.

The Junior Chipolopolo are scheduled to face the West African side in the first leg on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in Ouagadougou, before returning home for the second leg on Sunday, November 15, at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Mbewe has assembled a squad featuring a combination of locally based and foreign-based players as Zambia prepares for the crucial qualifying encounters.

However, the team will be without Europe-based midfielder Sabobo Banda, who was initially included in the 23-man provisional squad. The youngster has been ruled out after sustaining an injury while on club duty with Armenian side Alashkert.

Among the foreign-based players included in the final selection are David Simukonda of Egyptian side El Gouna, CD Leganes B duo Tumelo Mununga and Gift Siame, Emmanuel Mutale of Gulf United in the United Arab Emirates, and Pascal Phiri of Al Ittihad in Egypt.

Local clubs including Green Eagles, ZESCO United, Kabwe Warriors, Red Arrows and Kafue Celtic are also represented in the squad.

The Junior Chipolopolo will be hoping to secure a positive result away from home before completing the qualifying assignment in front of their supporters in Lusaka.

Zambia U23 Final 22-Man Squad

Goalkeepers

1. Christo Chitambala – Kabwe Warriors FC
2. Anatole Bweupe – Roan United FC
3. Hendrix Kanyungulu – Green Eagles FC

Defenders

1. Jonathan Kalimina – Kafue Celtic FC
2. Sekanji Siame – Power Dynamos FC
3. Hedson Paina Mapulanga – Green Eagles FC
4. Charles Buyoya – Aguilla FC
5. Happy Nsiku – ZESCO United FC
6. Lyson Banda – Green Buffaloes FC
7. Duncan Musialela – Green Eagles FC

Midfielders

1. Elvis Mulenga – Red Arrows FC
2. Humphrey Bwembya – Kabwe Warriors FC
3. Benjamin Saeli – Konkola Blades FC
4. David Simukonda – El Gouna, Egypt
5. Tumelo Mununga – CD Leganes B, Spain
6. Given Kalusa – FC MUZA
7. Gift Siame – CD Leganes B, Spain

Strikers

1. Anthony Shipanuka – ZESCO United FC
2. Eliya Mandanji – Red Arrows FC
3. Emmanuel Mutale – Gulf United, UAE
4. Pascal Phiri – Al Ittihad, Egypt
5. Caleb Musonda – Kafue Celtic FC

The 22-member squad will be looking to deliver strong performances across both legs as Zambia continues its pursuit of qualification for the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations.