The Chipolopolo boys return to action this afternoon (Wednesday) when they face the Flames of Malawi in an international friendly at National Heroes Stadium.

Zambia National Team coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is expected to field a largely local squad with some foreign based players that the technical bench has not seen enough expected to be given a chance to present their case in the flames game.

Malawi is fielding a full strength squad as they prepare for their back-to-back fixtures against Burkina Faso in the November round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Coach Meck Mwase has summoned six South Africa based players namely Limbikani Mzava, Gabadinho Mhango, Gerald Phiri Junior, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Richard Mbulu and Dennis Chembezi.
Others foreign based players Mozambique based duo of John Banda and Schumaker Kuwali with the rest being USA based Yamikani Chester and Charles Petro from Moldova.

On the Zambian front the local players battling for tickets to the CHAN and also making the cut in Chipolopolo colours during the AFCON colours will be expected to play their lungs out at National Heroes Stadium.

Upfront Zambia will be banking on the goal scoring exploits of Emmanuel Chabula and Collins Sikombe with the latter’s goal having downed the flames.

At back the likes of Luka Banda, Dominic Chanda, Kondwani Chiboni and Zachariah Chilongoshi will battle for places while Kelvin Kapumbu, Benson Sakala will in the running for the anchor man position with the fluidity expected to come through Bruce Musakanya, Amity Shamende and Leonard Mulenga.
After the Malawi game Zambia will tackle Kenya in Nairobi on Friday at Nyayo Stadium before jetting out to South Africa where they will face Bafana Bafana in Rustenburg on Sunday.

Zambia is preparing for back-to-back Group H Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Botswana in November.

FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Jackson Kakunta (Power Dynamos), Sebastian Mwange (Green Eagles), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors)

(DEFENDERS)
Kabaso Chongo, Tandi Mwape (both TP Mazembe), Zachariah Chilongoshi, Kondwani Chiboni (both Power Dynamos), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows)

(MIDFIELDERS)
Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula (Russia), Benson Sakala, Godfrey Ngwenya (Power Dynamos), Leonard Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Amity Shamende, Gozon Mutale (both Green Eagles), Edward Chilufya (Djurgardens IF-Sweden), Lubambo Musonda (Slask Wroclaw-Poland), Kelvin Kampamba, Bruce Musakanya (both Zesco United), Chaniza Zulu (Lumwana Radiants), Collins Sikombe (Napsa Stars)

(STRIKERS)
Evans Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Fashion Sakala (K.O Oostende-Belgium), Gampahni Lungu (SuperSport United-RSA), Emmanuel Chabula (Nkwazi), Akakulubelwa Mwachiaba (Kabwe Warriors).

NOTE: The Zambia versus Malawi game will be played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 protocols prescribed by the Ministry of Health. Matck kicks off at 15:00 hours.