Zambia national football team coach George Lwandamina has announced his 23-man squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification match against Kenya.
The match will be played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Sunday, 3 September, with a kick-off time of 4:30pm.
Neither Zambia nor Kenya have qualified for final tournament to be hosted in Gabon from 14 January to 5 February.
Lwandamina’s list is dominated by players from the MTN FAZ Super League, but his inclusion of six key foreign-based players is an indication that he is taking the match seriously and will use it to prepare the team for upcoming engagements such as the Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
Justin Shonga has been called to the squad as one of the two forwards from the local league, along with Jackson Mwanza.
Lewis Macha, who recently made a move to Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier Soccer League, returns to the fold after an absence of more than three years. Macha last featured for the Chipolopolo under former coach Herve Renard in 2013.
Another notable inclusion is Felix Katongo, who returns to the squad for the first time since May 2015. Zanaco captain Ziyo Tembo receives his third call-up to the squad, his previous two having come under former coach Renard.
THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Rocha Kola (Zanaco)
Defenders: Emmanuel Mbola (Hapoel Raanana), Fackson Kapumbu (Zanaco), Ziyo Tembo (Zanaco), Simon Silwimba (Zesco United), Stopilla Sunzu (Lille/France), Buchizya Mfune (Green Buffaloes), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes)
Midfielders: Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe/DRC),Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe/DRC), Kondwani Mtonga (Zesco United), John Chingandu (Zesco United), Cletus Chama (Zesco United), Roderick Kabwe (Zanaco), Lubambo Musonda (Gandzasar Kapan/Armenia), Felix Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes)
Strikers: Lewis Macha (Kaizer Chiefs/RSA), Winston Kalengo (AC Leopards/Congo), Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United), Justin Shonga (Nkwazi).
