Zambia coach Avram Grant names 55-man provisional squad for AFCON 2023

Zambia’s national team coach, Avram Grant, has revealed a provisional 55-member squad in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire.

According to CAF requirements, all participating nations must announce their provisional lists by December 14, 2023.

Grant’s selection encompasses a blend of local talents and promising young players from foreign leagues. Teams are expected to finalize their squads by January 3, 2024, ahead of the tournament.

Zambia, placed in Group F alongside Congo DR, Morocco, and Tanzania, will be headquartered in San Pedro. They commence their AFCON journey on January 17 against Congo, followed by matches against Morocco and Tanzania on January 21 and 24, respectively.

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:

1. Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United)
2. Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes)
3. Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)
4. Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)

Defenders:

1. Stoppilla Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou-China)
2. Frankie Musonda (Ayr United-Scotland)
3. Aime Mabika (Toronto FC-Canada)
4. Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos)
5. Luka Banda (Napsa Stars)
6. Mathews Chabala (Zesco United)
7. Gift Mphande (Rishon-Lezion-Israel)
8. Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors)
9. Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe)
10. Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows)
11. Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards)
12. Rodrick Kabwe (Zakho SC-Iraq)
13. Frederick Mwaiche (Trident)
14. Teddy Khumalo (Green Buffaloes)
15. Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland)

Midfielders:

1. Mannah Chiwisa (Atalanta-Italy)
2. Jack Chirwa (Forest Rangers)
3. Dominic Kanda (Zanaco)
4. Benson Sakala (Mlada Boleslav-Czech Republic)
5. Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Kampamba, Abraham Siankombo (all Zesco United)
6. Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic)
7. Andrew Muphande, John Kosamu (both Green Buffaloes)
8. Kings Kangwa (Crvena Zvezda-Serbia)
9. Emmanuel Banda (HNK Rijeka-Croatia)
10. Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune-RSA)
11. Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania)
12. Frederick Mulambia, Joshua Mutale (both Power Dynamos)
13. Patson Kwataine (Mufulira Wanderers)
14. Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United-RSA)
15. Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg IF-Denamrk)
16. Edward Chilufya Hacken-Sweden)
17. Charles Zulu (Zanaco)
18. Peter Chikola (Cadiz-Spain)

Strikers:

1. Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy)
2. Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes)
3. Albert Kangwanda (Al Hilal-Sudan)
4. Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia)
5. Patson Daka (Leicester City-England)
6. Evans Kangwa (Quingdao Hainiu-China)
7. Francisco Mwepu (Athletico Sanluqueno CF-Spain)
8. Brian Mwila (Zanaco)
9. Moyela Libamba (Forest Rangers)
10. Andrew Phiri (FC Muza)
11. Enock Sakala, Lazarous Kambole (both Zesco United)
12. Kingstone Mutandwa (Cagliari-Italy)
13. Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans-Tanzania)