Chipolopolo head coach Avram Grant has announced a 26-member provisional squad ahead of Zambia’s crucial back-to-back 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania and Niger — set for October 8 in Zanzibar and October 12 in Ndola.
Grant has opted for continuity, keeping faith in the core group that featured against Morocco last month in Ndola. However, the Israeli tactician has injected fresh energy into the squad with youthful additions and surprise returns.
One of the standout inclusions is Nkana goalkeeper Patrick Chooma, who earns his first-ever senior national call-up following a string of commanding performances in the MTN Super League. Promising talents such as Mathews Banda, Gift Siame, Joseph Sabobo Banda, Miguel Chaiwa, Gift Mphande, and David Hamansenya have also been retained — reinforcing Grant’s long-term vision of blending experience with youth.
In attack, Zambia will rely on a strong offensive unit led by Fashion Sakala, Patson Daka, Lameck Banda, Edward Chilufya, and Kennedy Musonda, while Clatous Chama makes a welcomed return from Tanzania-based side Singida, bringing both creativity and familiarity with the Tanzanian football environment.
The squad features a healthy mix of foreign-based stars and local league standouts, as Zambia not only seeks to stay competitive in the World Cup qualifiers but also build momentum ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations set for December.
With tickets already on sale for the home fixture against Niger at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, fans are expected to rally behind the Chipolopolo — hoping to see Grant’s evolving squad deliver when it matters most.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Patrick Chooma (Nkana)
(DEFENDERS)
Mathews Banda (Nkana), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain FC-Bahrain), Kabaso Chongo, Gift Mphande (both Zesco United), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Obinno Chisala (El Merreikh-Sudan), David Hamasenya (Leganes-Spain), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Gift Siame (Leganese-Spain), Benson Sakala (Bohemians-Czech), Kelvin Kapumbu (Konkola Blades), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’erSheva-Israel), Emmanuel Banda (Maccabi Bnei Reineh-Israeli), Lubambo Musonda (FC Magdeburg-Germany)
(FORWARDS)
Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Clatous Chama (Singida-Tanzania), Edward Chilufya (Midtylland-Denmark), Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan-Israel), Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be’erSheva-Israel) , Kelvin Kampamba (Zesco United)
