George Lwandamina has named his 22-member Cosafa Cup squad for this years tournament to be held in Namibia in June.
However, the team wholly comprising of home-based players is without three high-profile local stars.
Veteran’s Christopher Katongo of Green Buffaloes and Zanaco midfielder Isaac Chansa have been lift out despite starring at the 2016 CHAN tournament in Rwanda and in Zambia’s 2017 Africa Cup qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville in March.
Also omitted is Nkana defender Christopher Munthali who missed March’s Group E doubleheader against Congo while serving a two-month suspension.
The team will go into preliminary camp in Ndola from April 24-27.
Meanwhile, the draws for the June 11-25 tournament will be held on April 25 in Windhoek.
Zambia are on a preliminary round bye and will enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage together with South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, guest side DR Congo and holders Namibia.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Danny Munyao (Red Arrows), Racha Kola (Zanaco);
Defenders: Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Dauti Musekwa (Zesco United), Buchizya Mfune , Adrian Chama (both Green Buffaloes), George Chilufya (Zanaco)
Midfielders: Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Donashano Malama (Nkana), Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Salulani Phiri ,Charles Zulu (both Zanaco), Spencer Sautu, Mwila Phiri (both Green Eagles), Clatous Chama (Zesco United)
Strikers: Strikers: Adamson Mulawo (Green Eagles), Festus Mbewe (Red Arrows), Patson Daka (Power Dynamos), Conlyde Luchanga (Lusaka Dynamos)
Finally George Chilufya!
Chicken you are walking a thin line, Why not use the same Afcon squad?? Time is not on our side for experiments.
ARE YOU SURE KATONGO AND CHANSA ARE STILL GREAT STARS? DID THEY STAR AT THE 2016 CHAN? I NEVER SAW THAT DESPITE USING A MAGNIFYING GLASS. LETS BE SERIOUS GENTLEMEN, WHEN THOSE PEOPLE ARE AT THESE TOURNAMENTS, TAX-PAYERS’ MONEY IS USED TO SUSTAIN THEM THERE, SO WHY WASTE IT ON UNPRODUCTIVE PEOPLE, WHEN THERE ARE FRESH LEGS ALL OVER ZAMBIA WHO CAN DO A BETTER JOB. IF OTHER FINISHED PLAYERS WERE MAINTAINED IN THE NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM AT THE TIME KATONGO AND CHANSA WERE IN THEIR EARLY TWENTIES, THEY COULD NOT HAVE BROKEN THROUGH TO INTERNATIONA STARDOM, SO THEY SHOULD ACCEPT THAT THEY ARE TIRED NOW, AND GIVE ROOM TO YOUNGER, FRESH BLOOD.
Festus Mbewe & Patson Daka are gon’gas! Even if you locked them up overnight in a room with Robert Lewandowski, Louis Suarez & Thomas Mueller nothing would happen. Its time we started looking in other directions lest we deny other potential “Winston Kalengo’s” (someone who was ignored for so long in preference to duds like the above two, Bornwell Mwape etc) a chance to prove themselves. Lets put Zambia first & not turn the national team into a marketing tool for our private projects! Peace…
Comment:very surprising big teams like nkana only one player
Comment:how about Walter bwalya is he a Zambian or what if yes why is he not included in the N.S.Team