Avram Grant puts out fierce chipolopolo squad for AFCON 2023

Avram Grant has announced Zambia’s squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) to be held in January next year. Ivory Coast will host the tournament.

This is Zambia’s 18th appearance in the continental competition. They won the 2012 championship and that is their best-ever result.

Avram Grant and his technical staff have been running the rule on 30 players over four days before selecting the final squad.

Zambia will play Cameroon in a friendly on January 9 as part of preparations for the tournament. The Chipolopolo are in Group F alongside Morocco, Tanzania, and Congo DR.

Zambia’s first match is on January 17 against Congo at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in the coastal city of San Pedro. Four days later the Chipolopolo will take on the Taifa Stars of Tanzania before winding up their group matches on January 24 against the Atlas Lions.

Goalkeepers: Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Stoppilla Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou, China), Roderick Kabwe (Zakho Sports Club, Iraq), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe, Congo), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Frankie Musonda (Ayr United, Scotland), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon Lezion, Israel), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Banda (HNK Rijeka, Croatia), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg, Denmark), Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Mubanga (both Zesco United), Edward Chilufya (Hacken, Sweden), Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys, Switzerland), Benson Sakala (FK Mlada, Czech Republic), Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune, RSA), Kings Kangwa (Crzvena Zvezda, Serbia), Clatous Chama (Simba, Tanzania)

Forwards: Patson Daka (Leicester, England), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans, Tanzania), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy)