Chipolopolo Head to UAE for FIFA Friendlies against Egypt & Uganda

Chipolopolo Head to UAE for FIFA Friendlies against Egypt & Uganda

A contingent of 11 Chipolopolo players and technical staff has departed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in international friendly matches in Dubai. This group consists of ten local players and China-based Evans Kangwa.

The local players will join their foreign-based counterparts in Dubai to prepare for the upcoming international friendly matches. Zambia is scheduled to face Egypt on October 12 and Uganda on October 17 as part of FIFA’s international window.

Unfortunately, the team will be without three injured players: Lawrence Mulenga of Power Dynamos, Lameck Banda of Lecce, and Frankie Musonda of Ayr United. However, striker Fashion Sakala will make his return to the Chipolopolo set-up after missing the final Group H Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros due to suspension.

Coach Avram Grant has summoned a total of 25 players for these friendlies, as part of preparations for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November, where Zambia will face Congo Brazzaville and Niger. These qualifiers are also viewed as a build-up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for January in Ivory Coast. The draws for the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Abidjan on October 12.

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Full Squad:

Goalkeepers:

1. Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes)
2. Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
3. Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers)

Defenders:

1. Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows)
2. Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards)
3. Stoppila Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou-China)
4. Gift Mphande (Hapoel Lishon Lezion-Israel)
5. Luka Banda (Napsa Stars)
6. Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos)
7. Roderick Kabwe (Zakho Sports Club-Iraq)
8. John Chishimba (Zesco United)

Midfielders:

1. Kelvin Kapumbu (Zesco United)
2. Kelvin Kampamba (Zesco United)
3. Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech)
4. Kings Kangwa (Crzena Zvezda-Serbia)
5. Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania)
6. Emmanuel Banda (Rijeka-Croatia)
7. Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune-RSA)
8. Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg IF-Denmark)
9. Edward Chilufya (Hacken-Sweden)
10. Fashion Sakala (Club Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia)

Strikers:

1. Francisco Mwepu (Atletico Sanluqueno-Spain)
2. Evans Kangwa (Quingdao Hainiu-China)
3. Patson Daka (Leicester-England)
4. Moyela Libamba (Forest Rangers)

This international break will provide valuable preparation and experience for Zambia as they gear up for upcoming tournaments and qualifiers.