On 10 December 2025, Zambia’s national football team, the Chipolopolo, departed for Spain to start their final round of preparations ahead of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The 22-member contingent, composed primarily of local players with the exception of Fashion Sakala and Stopilla Sunzu, left Lusaka on Airlink Airlines at 14:30 from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
The team will be joined by their foreign-based players in Murcia, where the international training camp will run from 11–17 December 2025. This camp is part of the final build-up before Zambia competes in the AFCON tournament, where they are drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Mali, and Comoros.
Earlier on 10 December, coach Moses Sichone announced the 28-man provisional squad for the tournament. The team includes a balanced mix of domestic talent and international-based players across all positions. Goalkeepers named are Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), and Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos). The defensive line features 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), and Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Republic).
Midfielders include 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), and Pascal Phiri (Zesco United). Strikers named are Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau, Austria), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel), and Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco).
The Murcia camp will focus on tactical preparation, team cohesion, and fitness, allowing both local and international-based players to integrate ahead of the AFCON competition. Zambia’s squad enters the tournament with a mix of experienced internationals and rising domestic talent, aiming to make a strong impression in Group A and beyond.
The Chipolopolo’s journey to Spain marks the final phase of preparation, signaling Zambia’s determination to perform at a high level and challenge top African nations in Morocco 2025.