Chipolopolo interim coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina has named a 30-member provisional squad for Zambia’s back-to-back Group I qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Burundi. The squad, announced by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), is a blend of…

Chipolopolo interim coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina has named a 30-member provisional squad for Zambia’s back-to-back Group I qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Burundi.

The squad, announced by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), is a blend of foreign-based players and top-performing local stars.

In-form Zesco United striker Kennedy Musonda, fit-again Red Arrows defender Zephaniah Phiri and red-hot Red Arrows airman Ackim Mumba headline the local call-ups.

Portugal-based midfielder Chanka Zimba returns to the national fold after finding a new base, while Gift Mphande has also earned a look-in from the technical bench.

The team will set up camp in Ndola on Thursday, with foreign-based players expected to join when the FIFA international window opens on 9 November.

Lwandamina is expected to trim the provisional squad to 26 for the final stages of preparation.

Zambia will host Burundi on Friday, 13 November at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, before travelling to Bujumbura for the return fixture four days later on 17 November.

The double-header is crucial for Zambia’s qualification hopes. Algeria lead Group I with four points, with Zambia second on three points. Togo are third, also on three points, while Burundi are bottom with one point after two rounds of matches.

Victory in both legs would put Chipolopolo in a commanding position to qualify for the AFCON PAMOJA 2027, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

Lwandamina, who took over on an interim basis, will be looking to build momentum and stability in the squad as Zambia push for a return to Africa’s biggest stage.

Some players have been excluded from this assignment as they are part of U23 squad playing Burkina Faso on 11 November in Ouagadougou and Heroes four days later.

FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Willard Mwanza, Lawrence Mulenga (both Power Dynamos), Luka Mainza (Red Arrows), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)

(DEFENDERS)

Mathews Banda (Bohemians Praha FC-Czech Republic), Zephaniah Phiri, Owen Mwamba (both 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, Wilson Chisala, Owen Tembo (all 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)