The Zambia local Chipolopolo squad has given eight players already profiled by ZedSoccer an opportunity to push for places ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Interim coach George Lwandamina summoned 28 locally based players for an assessment camp as Zambia prepare to begin their Group I campaign away to Algeria before hosting Togo.
Among those selected are Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa and Bridger Ngandu of FC MUZA.
ZANACO midfielders Dominic Kanda and Ian Sindaye have also received their opportunity. The attacking group includes Abel Nyirongo of Atletico Lusaka and Green Eagles forwards Derrick Bulaya and Rickson Ngambi.
For these players, the camp is an audition rather than confirmation of a place in the final qualifying squad. Lwandamina will eventually combine the strongest local performers with Zambia’s foreign-based players.
The initial selection excludes players from Power Dynamos and Red Arrows because of their CAF interclub commitments. ZESCO United players were also unavailable due to the club’s pre-season programme in Tanzania.
Full Zambia local Chipolopolo squad
Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda, Victor Chabu, Bradley Mweene and Christo Chitambala.
Defenders: Jonathan Kalimina, Headson Paina, Joseph Mulenga, Jackson Phiri, Frederick Mwimanzi, Tinklar Sinkala, Yoram Chanda and William Kamwanga.
Midfielders: Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa, Chanda Chileshe, Humphrey Bwembya, Elliot Kampukesa, Nduna Zulu, Francis Banda, Golden Mashata, Patson Kwataine, Kelvin Chipelu, Dominic Kanda and Ian Sindaye.
Strikers: Bridger Ngandu, Abel Nyirongo, Derrick Bulaya and Rickson Ngambi.
Zambia were drawn alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi in Group I. The top two teams will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be staged in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Algeria fixture represents a difficult opening assignment, but it also gives the locally based players something tangible to chase. A strong assessment camp could move any of them from the wider national-team conversation into Zambia’s final qualifying squad.
