Zambia national team coach Moses Sichone has announced a 55-member provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The squad submission meets the CAF deadline ahead of the tournament, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The list includes exciting new talent and experienced internationals. Notably, 21-year-old Manchester City defender Jadel Katongo and Austrian-based striker Jack Kalichi Lahne have earned their call-ups. Lahne impressed fans during the recent FIFA window by scoring on his debut for Chipolopolo. Their inclusion reflects FAZ’s ongoing diaspora talent-search programme aimed at strengthening the national team.
Sichone has also given opportunities to standout players from Zambia’s U17 FIFA World Cup squad, including Jonathan Kalimina, Abel Nyirongo, and Christo Chitambala. Other newcomers include Chanka Zimba of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Scotland and Frank Chileshe of Locomotive Tbilisi.
The 55-member squad will be trimmed to 28 players, following CAF guidelines, before finalizing the 23-player tournament squad. FAZ has scheduled an international training camp ahead of the AFCON, including high-profile friendly matches to prepare the team.
Zambia has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros.
Full Provisional Squad for Morocco 2025 AFCON
Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda (Kabwe Warriors), Lawrence Mulenga, Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune-RSA), Charles Kalumba, Christo Chitambala (Red Arrows)
Defenders: Jonathan Kalimina (Kafue Celtic), Kapambwe Musonda, Headson Paina (Green Eagles), Owen Mwamba (Mufulira Wanderers), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Kabaso Chongo, Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Stoppila Sunzu (Changchuan Yatai-China), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain FC-Bahrain), Jadel Katongo (Manchester City-England), Chanda Chileshe (FC Muza), David Hamansenya (FC Leganese-Spain), Mathews Banda (Nkana), Obinno Chisala (Al Mereikh-Sudan), Happy Nsiku (Red Arrows), Benson Sakala (Bohemians-Czech Republic)
Midfielders: Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Humphrey Bwembya (Kabwe Warriors), Golden Mashata (Hapoel Ra’anana-Israel), Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa, Solomon Mpasela (FC Muza), Owen Tembo, Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy), Wilson Chisala, Tinklar Sinkala (Zanaco), Frank Chileshe (Locomotive Tbilisi-Georgia), Kings Kangwa, Joseph Sabobo Banda (Maccabi Be’er Sheva-Israel), David Simukonda, Abraham Siankombo, Pascol Phiri (Zesco United), Gift Siame (Leganese-Spain), Kelvin Chipelu (Forest Rangers), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany)
Forwards: Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Lustenau-Austria), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan-Israel), Andrew Phiri (Singida-Tanzania), Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco), Kingston Mutandwa (SV Reid-Austria), Abel Nyirongo (Atletico Lusaka), Chanka Zimba (Inverness Caledonian Thistle-Scotland), Rickson Ng’ambi (FC Muza)
The provisional squad balances youth and experience, with Sichone aiming to assemble a competitive side capable of progressing deep into the tournament while showcasing emerging talent on the continental stage.