Chipolopolo coach Moses Sichone has announced his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The list is a trimmed version of the initial 55-man provisional squad.
The team will move to Murcia, Spain, for the final phase of preparations from December 11 to 17, 2025. During this camp, Zambia is expected to play high-profile friendly matches ahead of the tournament. Full squad integration will occur after December 15, following FIFA’s mandatory release date for foreign-based players. This regulation, confirmed on December 3, 2025, requires clubs to release players no later than December 15 for AFCON, which runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The squad includes a mix of experienced internationals and new call-ups. Austria-based striker Jack Kalichi Lahne, who scored on his Chipolopolo debut, has been selected. Italian-based Joseph Liteta of Cagliari also makes the cut. Local talent from the MTN Super League is represented by Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco), Matthews Banda (Nkana), Given Kalusa (FC Muza), and Pascal Phiri (Zesco United). Goalkeepers Willard Mwanza and Owen Tembo, both from Power Dynamos, and David Simukonda (Zanaco) are among the other fresh faces.
Two standout performers from the FIFA U17 World Cup, Jonathan Kalimina and Abel Nyirongo, will serve as standby players, along with Kelvin Mwanza from FC Muza.
Zambia has been drawn into Group A alongside Morocco, Mali, and Comoros. The full 28-man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)
Defenders: Stopilla Sunzu (Changchun, China), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United), Matthews Banda (Nkana), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Obino Chisala (Al-Merikh SC, Sudan), David Hamasenya (Leganes, Spain), Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Rep)
Midfielders: Miguel Changa Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy), Kings Kangwa (Maccabi Be’er Sheeva, Israel), Given Kalusa (FC Muza), David Simukonda (Zesco United), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Joseph Sabobo Banda (Maccabi Be’er Sheeva, Israel), Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Lubambo Sailas Musonda (Magdeburg, Germany), Pascal Phiri (Zesco United)
Strikers: Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau, Austria), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel), Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco)
Zambia will focus on final preparations in Spain before traveling to Morocco, aiming to deliver strong performances in their AFCON 2025 campaign.
