Zambia: Chipolopolo assistant coach Moses Sichone has named a 30-member provisional squad for the 2023 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup.
Sichone, who will lead the defending champions at the 26th edition of the tournament, has named an array of top league performers and some rookies, notably under-17 20232 AFCON forward Emmanuel Mwanza.
The Chipolopolo will enter camp on Monday in Lusaka as they plot their title defence.
Head coach Avram Grant will keep an eye on proceedings as the Cosafa is also being used as a preparatory tournament for the July month end African Nations Championship qualifier.
Zambia is in Group B and will open its account on July 6 against the Flames of Malawi before facing Comoros three days later.
The final group match will be against Seychelles on July 11 at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
FULL LIST
(GOALKEEPERS)
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Francis Mwansa (Trident)
Aaron Katebe (Power Dynamos), Samson Mkandawire, John Chsihimba (both Zesco United), Dominic Chanda, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Pride Mwansa (Nkwazi), Gift Mphande (Athletico Lusaka), Mathews Chabala (Nchanga Rangers)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Kelvin Kampamba, Chanda Mukuka, Kelvin Kapumbu (all Zesco United), Joshua Mutale, Frederick Mulambia (both Power Dynamos), Abraham Siankombo (Zanaco), Francis Zulu (Prison Leopards), Patson Kwataine (Mufulira Wanderers), Oliver Lumbiya (Nkana), Moyela Libamba (Forest Rangers), John Kosamu, Jack Chirwa (both Green Buffaloes),
(STRIKERS)
Andrew Phiri (MUZA FC), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Harry Milanzi Junior (Green Buffaloes), Emmanuel Mwanza (Kafue Celtic), Kingstone Mutandwa (Athletico Lusaka)
On the other hand, Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda is back in training after missing Saturday’s recovery session.
The skipper trained with the rest of the team at Sportclub Oberreichenbach e.V. in Oberreichenbach, a town in Erlangen-Höchstadt district. Coach Bruce Mwape expects a full squad in Germany this week following the completion of matches in Kazakhstan on Saturday.
The players plying their trade in that country are goalkeeper Catherine Musonda, defender Martha Tembo and midfielders Ireen Lungu and Hellen Chanda.