By MICHAEL MIYOBA
TWELVE foreign-based Chipolopolo stars have reported for camp as Zambia regroups to begin preparations for the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations slated for next year in Ivory Coast.
The 12 are led by experienced 2012 AFCON winner Stoppila Sunzu who features for Jinang Xingzhou FC in the Chinese League.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) confirmed that some players have not yet reported for camp due to club engagements.
Sunzu is joined by TP Mazembe defender Thandi Mwape, Captain Lubambo Musonda who plies his trade in Denmark for Silkeborg and striker Evans Kangwa who features for Qindao Hainui FC in China.
Other foreign-based players who have reported for camp are MFK Vyskov FC midfielder, Golden Mafwenta, Kings Kangwa, who features for Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda, HNK Rijeka star Emmanuel Banda and Switzerland-based Young Boys star Miguel Chaiwa.
Italy-based Atalanta FC midfielder Mannah Chiwisa, Edward Chilufya who plays for Hacken in Sweden and the striking duo of Kennedy Musonda from Young Africans in Tanzania and Francisco Mwepu who plays for Atletico Sanluqueno in Spain complete the list of the professional stars in camp.
The 12 join the 18 local stars who regrouped yesterday in Lusaka as preps for the AFCON intensify.
After the local camp, Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant will announce the squad of at least 27 players that will go to Saudi Arabia for the international camp next week.
While in Saudi Arabia, the Chipolopolo will play two international friendly matches against Cameroon and a yet to be confirmed opponent.
At the 34th edition of the continental championship which will run from January 13 to February 11, 2024, Zambia will compete in Group F alongside Congo DR, Morocco and Tanzania.
The Chipolopolo will kick off their AFCON campaign against Ivory Coast on January 17 before facing Tanzania four days later.
The Chipolopolo will will then conclude their group F matches with a game against Morocco on January 24.
Provisional squad for local camp:
GOALKEEPERS – Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes) and Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows).
DEFENDERS – Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe), Stoppila Sunzu Jjinang Xingzhou-China), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Teddy Khumalo (Green Buffaloes), Fred Mwiche (Trident) and Luka Banda (Napsa Stars).
MIDFIELDIERS – Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech), Kings Kangwa (Crvena Zvezda-Serbia), Emmanuel Banda (HNK Rijeka-Croatia), Miguela Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland), Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos), Mannah Chiwisa (Atalanta-Italy), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg-Denmark), Edward Chilufya-Hacken-Sweden), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes) and Benson Sakala (FK Mlada-Czech).
STRIKERS – Evans Kangwa (Qindao Hainui-China), Andrew Phiri (FC Muza), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans-Tanzania), Francisco Mwepu (Atletico Sanluqueno-Spain) and Brian Mwila (Zanaco).
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