By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA national soccer team coach Beston Chambeshi has named 12 foreign-based stars in his 27-member squad for the back-to-back Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mauritania and Tunisia.
Chambeshi has also called under-17 captain Miguel Chaiwa of Shamuel FC while Jack Ngulube joins the squad from Green Buffaloes.
English Premier League stars Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka who features for Brighton and Leicester City are joined by Scottish Champions Glasgow Rangers’ striker Fashion Sakala, Sweden-based duo of Edward Chilufya and Emmanuel Banda who are on the books of Djurgardens.
Chambeshi has also recalled striker Evans Kangwa from Arsenal Tula in Russia and Lubambo Musonda who is on the books of Horsens FC.
Chambeshi has also summoned Clatous Chama from RS Berkane, Rally Bwalya and Tandi Mwape from Simba FC and TP Mazembe respectively while goal keeper Toaster Nsabata has also been summoned after his impressive form at Sekhukhune United in South Africa.
Nsabata will compete with Baroka FC shot stopper Mwenya Chibwe who has been the first choice goal keeper in the World Cup qualifiers.
Zambia hosts Mauritania on November 13 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka before travelling to Tunis for the concluding Group B match three days later.
The team will enter camp on Sunday with foreign-based players expected to trickle in on Monday.
Tunisia tops Group B on 10 points while Equatorial Guinea has seven with Zambia in third with four. At the tail-end is Mauritania with one point.
GOALKEEPERS
Gregory Sanjase (Zesco United), Kelvin Malunga (Nkana), Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune United – RSA), Cyril Chibwe (Baroka FC – RSA)
DEFENDERS
Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (both Red Arrows), Solomon Sakala, Simon Silwimba (both Zesco United), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Miguel Chaiwa (Shamuel), Jack Ngulube (Green Buffaloes), Isaac Shamujompa (Zanaco), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe – DRC)
MIDFIELDERS
Dickson Chapa, Spencer Sautu, Kelvin Kampamba (all Zesco United), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Edward Chilufya, Emmanuel Banda (both Djurgardens – Sweden), Lubambo Musonda (Horsens – Denmark), Clatous Chama (RS Berkane – Morocco), Enock Mwepu (Brighton – England), Rally Bwalya (Simba SC – Tanzania)
STRIKERS
Fashion Sakala (Rangers – Scotland), Patson Daka (Leicester – England), Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Evans Kangwa (Arsenal Tula – Russia).
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