Chipolopolo Zambia coach Avram Grant has named 16 foreign-based players in his 27-member team to face Lesotho next week in their 2023 AFCON Group H qualifier doubleheader.
Zambia will host Lesotho in the first leg on March 23 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The second leg will be played on March 27 at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg.
But the big story that is striker Lazarus Kambole makes his first return since 2019 after a rough time at Kaizer Chiefs during the same period that saw him overlooked for Chipolopolo selection.
Kambole’s recent exploits at Zesco United where he is on a six-month loan from Tanzanian club Young Africans did not go unnoticed after scoring four goals in his first four games from a total of six matches he has played since returning home to Zambia in January.
And back to the overseas call-ups, defender Aime Mabika of USA MLS club Inter-Miami will finally make his competitive debut for Zambia after completing his protracted naturalisation process.
Mabika, 24 was born in Lusaka to DR Congo parents but left Zambia for the USA when he was eight years old.
He made his Zambia debut on March 27, 2022, in Turkey at a three-nation friendly tournament in a 3-1 win over Congo-Brazzaville in Antalya.
Mabika joins established foreign-based stars summoned for the Lesotho game which include Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala.
He will be reunited with his fellow naturalised call-up and defender Frankie Musonda.
Musonda also made his Zambia debut last year in Turkey but was clearance was swifter and play in last June’s Group H qualifiers against Cote d’Ivoire and Comoros.
Chipolopolo heads into next week’s encounters with Lesotho in third place tied on 3 points with second-placed Comoros after two rounds of matches played.
Lesotho is bottom with 1 point while Cote d’Ivoire leads Group H with 4 points.
TEAM:
GOALKEEPERS: Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune United, South Africa), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Allan Chibwe (Forest Rangers)
DEFENDERS: Frankie Musonda (Ayr United, Scotland), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Roderick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United, South Africa), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Aime Mabika (Inter-Miami, USA), Teddy Khumalo (Athletico Lusaka), Benson Sakala (FK Viagem Pribram, Czech Rep), Aaron Katebe (Power Dynamos)
MIDFIELDERS: Kings Kangwa (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Emmanuel Banda (Djurgarden, Sweden), Lubambo Musonda (Horsens, Denmark), Patson Kwataine (Mufulira Wanderers) Clatous Chama (Simba SC, Tanzania), Rally Bwalya (Amazulu, South Africa)
STRIKERS: Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Fashion Sakala Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Lazarus Kambole (Zesco United), Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland, Denmark), Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans, Tanzania)
I don’t I understand these PF LT, why xenaphobia even in football? seriously, leave Mabika enjoy his life, he decided to be Zambian, and what’s wrong with that?
Be positive for once.
Promote Patson Kwatame, let him play.