(FAZ) The Chipolopolo technical bench has unveiled its final 23-member final squad ahead of the two FIFA international friendly matches against Mali.
And Denmark based Lubambo Musonda and Lameck Banda of Lecce in Italy miss out on the international window assignments due to injury.
Zambia will play Mali on September 23 and 26 in Bamako after the cancellation of the Benghazi outing on account of safety concerns.
The Chipolopolo will square off will the Eagles of Mali in back-to-back engagements that will see both teams field their strongest squads as part of preparations for the Ivory Coast 2023 (to be played in January 2024) Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Coach Aljosa Asanovic’s assemblage comprises locally players that will trek to Mali this afternoon for the assignment.
Foreign based players will fly directly from their bases into Bamako.
Meanwhile Musonda and Banda have been ruled out after injuries suffered in the final club matches prior to the international window.
The team is expected to leave for Bamako this afternoon with European based players flying directly while the South Africa, Tanzania and Congo contingent will fly with locals Mali.
The matches will be played at 19:00 GMT (21:00 hours CAT).
FINAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune United-RSA)
DEFENDERS
Benedict Chepeshi, Allan Kapila (both Red Arrows), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland), Frankie Musonda (AYR United-Scotland), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe-DRC), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Luka Chamanga (Power Dynamos)
MIDFIELDERS
Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania), Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland-Denmark), Kelvin Kampamba (Zesco United), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Roderick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United-RSA), Emmanuel Banda (Djurgardens-Sweden), Enock Mwepu (Brighton-England), Kings Kangwa (FK Crvena Zvezda-Serbia)
STRIKERS
Fashion Sakala (Glasgow Rangers-Scotland), Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Evans Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia)