The Chiopolopolo boys this afternoon (Tuesday) takes on the Zebras of Botswana in the quarterfinal of the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup currently underway in Durban.
Zambia joins the competition at the quarterfinal stage and will face an already warmed up Botswana that topped Group B at the expense of Angola, Comoros, and Seychelles.
The clash against Botswana will be a repeat of the 2019 final that the Chipolopolo won 1-0 in the same city under the tutelage of Aggrey Chiyangi.
Zambia will be looking to Cyril Chibwe, Charles Kalumba or Lawrence Mulenga to take up the number one spot while the backline battle will be among Dominic Chanda, Warren Kunda, Luka Banda, Allan Kapila, Shemmy ‘Alves’ Mayembe and captain Benedict Chepeshi.
It is in midfield where options abound with the likes of Kelvin Kapumbu, Prince Mumba, Dickson Chapa and Saddam Phiri competing for the mopping up responsibilities. Creative options may lie on the shoulders of Kelvin Kampamba, Joshua ‘Buddo’ Mutale, Albert ‘Deddo’ Kangwanda, Spencer Sautu and Patrick Gondwe.
Upfront, the technical bench may retain faith in the prolific Ricky Banda alongside either Jimmy Mukeya or Enock Sakala junior.
Zambia has carried an all-local squad with one eye on refining its troops ahead of the July 24 African Nations Championship clash with Mozambique in Maputo.
Other quarterfinal matches involve Madagascar and Namibia at the same venue (14h00 CAT) while Eswatini will face guest team Senegal on Wednesday in what is a repeat of the 2021 semifinal that was won on penalties by the west African guest nation. The last of the quarterfinals will see defending champions South Africa take on Mozambique.
Zambia’s match against Botswana kicksoff at 17H00.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Cyril Chibwe (Zesco United), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)
(DEFENDERS)
Prosper Chiluya, Benedict Chepeshi, Allan Kapila (all Red Arrows), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Warren Kunda (Green Eagles)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Kelvin Kapumbu (Zesco United), Luka Chamanga, Joshua Mutale (both Power Dynamos), Dickson Chapa (Napsa Stars), Albert Kangwanda, Saddam Phiri (both Red Arrows), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Patrick Gondwe (Nkana), Kelvin Kampamba, Spencer Sautu (both Zesco United)
(STRIKERS)
Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars), Enock Sakala jnr (Zesco United).