Zambia national team head coach Avram Grant has named a 27-member provisional squad ahead of next monthโs 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Morocco and Tanzania. A conspicuous absentee from the roaster is in-form Saudi Arabia-based star Fashion Sakala.
Grant has surprisingly dropped Sakala, who is in scintillating form for his club Al-Fayha SC in the Saudi Pro League. He has scored 18 goals and contributed 6 assists in 30 appearances this season.
The 27-year-old attacker has not featured for the Chipolopolo since their abysmal 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Ivory Coast in February. He was also inexplicably excused from the last international outing in Malawi.
Meanwhile, the Israeli gaffer has retained his faith in England-based Leicester City striker Patson Daka, experienced defender Stophila Sunzu of Cangzhou Mighty Lions in China, and Belgium-based midfielder Kings Kangwa, who returns to the squad after missing out on the March international window.
Also recalled to the squad is defender Kabaso Chongo, who returns to the international fold after a three-year absence. The call-up follows his recent move back to the domestic league where he has joined Kabwe Warriors. Captain Lubambo Musonda and China-based marksman Evans Kangwa are also back in the team.
Grant has also handed a debut call-up to youngster Kingston Mutandwa, who has broken into the Italian Serie A side Cagliariโs senior team this season after impressing manager Claudio Ranieri while turning out for the clubโs Under-21 side.
Other notable absentees include winger Lameck Banda of US Lecce in the Italian topflight and midfielder Clatous Chama, who are both still nursing injuries. Former captain Roderick Kabwe also continues to be on the sidelines.
Chipolopolo faces Morocco on June 7 in the city of Agadir before hosting the Taifa Stars of Tanzania four days later at Ndolaโs Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in back-to-back Group E qualifiers for the World Cup to be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada in two yearsโ time.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Toaster Nsabata (ZESCO United)
(DEFENDERS)
Tandi Mwape (ZESCO United), Kabaso Chongo, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Stopilla Sunzu (Cangzhou Lions-China), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon LeZion-Israel), Luka Banda (NAPSA Stars), Frankie Musonda (AYR United-Scotland)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Benson Sakala (FK Mlada Boleslav-Czech), Miguel Chaiwa (FC Schaffhausen-Switzerland), Obino Chisala (Costa Do Sol-Mozambique), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg IF-Denmark), Abraham Siankombo, Kelvin Kapumbu (both ZESCO United), Emmanuel Banda (Rijeka-Croatia), Kings Kangwa (Club Kortrijk-Belgiun), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Kelvin Kampamba (Al Nasr Benghazi-Libya), Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United-South Africa)
(STRIKERS)
Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Evans Kangwa (Shanghai Shenhua-China), Kingston Mutandwa (Cagliari-Italy), Edward Chilufya (Midtjlland-Denmark), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans-Tanzania)
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