Zambia coach George Lwandamina has selected a 28-player squad for a local training camp as the Chipolopolo prepare for their opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.
The squad features a combination of young players who represented Zambia at the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana and members of the group involved in the international friendly against Argentina in Buenos Aires in March.
Lwandamina, who is in charge of Nchanga Rangers at club level, has included several promising domestic players as he assesses his options ahead of the qualifiers.
Among the defenders called up are Zanaco pair Frederick Mwimanzi and Tinkler Sinkala.
They are joined in defence by Green Eagles’ Headson Paina, Joseph Mulenga of Nchanga Rangers and Jackson Phiri of Konkola Blades.
Kabwe Warriors defender Yoram Chanda and Mufulira Wanderers’ William Kamwanga complete the group of experienced defenders selected for the camp.
Lwandamina has also given opportunities to members of Zambia’s Under-17 side, with goalkeeper Christo Chitambala, left-back Jonathan Kalimina, winger Kelvin Chipelu and striker Abel Salim Nyirongo included in the squad.
The selections underline the coach’s intention to combine established domestic players with younger talent as Zambia begin preparations for a new AFCON qualifying campaign.
Green Eagles striker Rickson Ng’ambi is among the forwards selected and will be joined by his club-mate Derrick Bulaya.
The midfield group includes three players from FC MUZA – Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa and Chanda Chileshe.
Kabwe Warriors midfielder Humphrey Bwembya, Nchanga Rangers’ Elliot Kampukesa and Nkana player Nduna Zulu have also been selected.
Zanaco’s Francis Banda, Dominic Kanda and Ian Sindaye, Green Buffaloes’ Golden Mashata and Mufulira Wanderers’ Patson Kwataine complete the midfield options.
The goalkeeping group consists of Mangani Banda of Green Eagles, Victor Chabu of Nchanga Rangers, Bradley Mweene of Nkwazi and Kabwe Warriors’ Christo Chitambala.
In attack, FC MUZA’s Bridger Ngandu joins Abel Nyirongo of Atletico Lusaka, while Green Eagles provide both Bulaya and Ng’ambi.
Zambia have been drawn in Group I of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi.
Their qualifying campaign begins with a difficult away fixture against Algeria before they return home to face Togo in the second round of matches, both scheduled for September.
The local camp will give Lwandamina an opportunity to assess players from the domestic game before those competitive fixtures.
However, the 28-man group does not represent the full pool of domestic players available to Zambia.
Power Dynamos and Red Arrows, the country’s two CAF representatives, have not had players included in the assessment camp.
ZESCO United players are also absent because the club is currently involved in pre-season activities in Tanzania.
That means Lwandamina will work with a squad drawn largely from other domestic clubs, while players from the unavailable teams remain outside the current selection.
The coach has nevertheless assembled a group containing a mixture of experience and youth.
The inclusion of the Zambia Under-17 quartet is particularly notable, with Chitambala, Kalimina, Chipelu and Nyirongo being given the opportunity to train alongside senior players.
The squad also includes several players from clubs that regularly contribute to Zambia’s domestic football structure.
Lwandamina will use the camp to evaluate his selections before Zambia turn their attention to the two September qualifiers.
The Chipolopolo face a demanding start against Algeria away from home, followed by the home meeting with Togo.
With Burundi completing the group, every point could prove important as Zambia attempt to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
For now, the focus is on preparation and assessment, with Lwandamina using the local camp to identify players capable of contributing to the national team’s qualifying campaign.
The 28-man selection provides a first look at the domestic-based group he will work with as Zambia begin the road towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
