PETER Kaumba on Thursday afternoon unveiled his 19-man squad to face Malawi on Wednesday, February 7 in the two sides Olympic Games 1st round, 1st leg qualifying match to be played at Nkoloma stadium.
The squad wholly comprises of local-players though it is likely to change with the imminent arrival of two South African -based professionals in the run-up to Wednesday’s match.
Defender Davies Nkausu and striker Given Singuluma of South African division 2 club’s University of Pretoria FC and Bay United respectively are the two being expected.
The official squad list however does not include Zesco United midfielder Rainford Kalaba.
Kalaba failed to turn-up on the eve of the squads unveiling just 24 hours after receiving a late call-up.
Dropped from the squad are the Zamtel duo of Jackson Mwanza and Kondwani Mtonga including three other players.
The others dropped are City of Lusaka’s Mazuba Mukandawire, Lusaka Tigers defender Aaron Sichilima and Simon Nkole from Kitwe United.
The latter three were all members of last years Under 23 squad that faced Djibouti in a preliminary round one-leg Olympic qualifier played in Lusaka last October.
Late call-up Robert Gondwe of Green Buffaloes makes the cut and is line for his first Under 23 cap.
Another player expected to make his Under 23 debut is Nkana midfielder Chileshe Chibwe who missed the Djibouti game due to injury.
Nchanga Rangers goalkeeper Fred Silwamba including his club mate and striker Brian Chilando have also made the final 19.
Afrisports’ Zambia schools international utility player Stophira Nsunzu too has made the cut to join his brother and Konkola Blades striker Felix as the Under 23’s sibling pair.
Meanwhile a majority of the squad that beat Djibouti 10-0 last October have received the nod from Kaumba to feature next week against Malawi.
But missing will be three-goal hero from the Djibouti game Christopher Musonda of Forest Rangers and defender Charles Sinyingwa.
The duo left camp on Wednesday and are in Hungary attending trials at division 2 side Papa Lombard.
The squad is due to depart Kitwe for Lusaka tomorrow after having a late extension to their Copperbelt leg of training camp by another two days.
TEAM:
Goalkeepers: Rabson Muchelenganga (Power Dynamos), Kelvin Mulenga
(Kitwe United), Fred Silwamba (Nchanga Rangers).
Defenders: Field Chipungu (Forest Rangers), Maybin Chishimba (Konkola Blades), Francis Kasonde (Power Dynamos), Clive Sichondwe (Kabwe Warriors), Eugene Shamakamba (Kitwe United).
Midfielders: Chibwe Chileshe (Nkana), Chabusha Malumani, Simon Bwalya
(Both Lusaka Dynamos), Oliver Mukuka (Forest Rangers), Chanda Mwaba (Power Dynamos), Collins Mwanza (Forest Rangers), Mwape Mwelwa (National Assembly), Stophira Nsunzu (Afrisports).
Strikers: Brian Chilando (Nchanga Rangers), Robert Gondwe (Green Buffaloes), Felix Nsunzu Jr (Konkola Blades).
Courtesy of Kalumiana Kalumiana
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