Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has named a 28-member squad for the local assessment camp ahead of Zambia’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month. The squad brings together a blend of emerging talent, experienced local players and youngsters who have already gained exposure in international competition. Lwandamina has selected several players who featured at the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana, while others were part of the group that faced Argentina in an international friendly in Buenos Aires in March this year. The camp gives the coach an opportunity to assess players competing in the domestic league before Zambia begins its crucial qualification campaign. With the Chipolopolo drawn against Algeria, Togo and Burundi in Group I, the preparation period will be important as Zambia looks to build a competitive squad for the qualifiers.
The local selection reflects Lwandamina’s willingness to give promising players an opportunity to stake their claim for places in the national team. Several of the selected players have already experienced international football, while others are still developing their careers at club level. The mixture of youth and experience could provide the technical team with different options as it prepares for the demands of the AFCON qualifying campaign. The local camp will also allow Lwandamina and his technical staff to examine players closely before making decisions on the wider national team setup. With some of Zambia’s leading clubs unavailable for this assessment because of continental and pre-season commitments, the camp also provides an opportunity to assess players from a wider range of domestic teams.
The defensive department includes a number of players who will be looking to make a strong impression during the camp. Zanaco FC defensive pair Frederick Mwimanzi and Tinkler Sinkala have received call-ups as Lwandamina continues to assess options at the back. Green Eagles defender Headson Paina, Joseph Mulenga of Nchanga Rangers FC and Jackson Phiri of Konkola Blades FC are also included in the squad. Kabwe Warriors defender Yoram Chanda and Mufulira Wanderers player William Kamwanga complete the other defensive selections, while Jonathan Kalimina of Kafue Celtic FC is also part of the group. The selection provides competition for places and gives the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate players who could potentially contribute to Zambia’s defensive plans during the qualifiers.
The goalkeeping department features four players with experience in Zambia’s domestic football system. Green Eagles goalkeeper Mangani Banda has been selected alongside Victor Chabu of Nchanga Rangers FC and Bradley Mweene of Nkwazi FC. The fourth goalkeeper is Christo Chitambala of Kabwe Warriors FC, one of the young players receiving an opportunity to train with the senior national setup. Chitambala is part of a group of Zambia Under-17 players who have been given an opportunity to experience the senior international environment. Exposure to the Chipolopolo setup could prove valuable for the young goalkeeper as he continues developing his career and gaining experience at higher levels of the game.
Lwandamina has also opened the door to several members of Zambia’s Under-17 setup. Goalkeeper Christo Chitambala, left-back Jonathan Kalimina, winger Kelvin Chipelu and striker Abel Salim Nyirongo have all been included in the 28-member squad. Their selection highlights the coach’s interest in monitoring young talent and creating a pathway between Zambia’s junior and senior national teams. Training alongside more experienced players can help young footballers understand the physical, tactical and professional demands of senior international football. For the players themselves, the camp represents an opportunity to demonstrate that they can compete at a higher level and potentially become part of Zambia’s future national team plans.
The midfield selection contains a strong representation from FC MUZA, with Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa and Chanda Chileshe all receiving call-ups. Kabwe Warriors midfielder Humphrey Bwembya, Nchanga Rangers’ Elliot Kampukesa and Nkana FC player Nduna Zulu have also been included in the midfield group. Zanaco FC contributes Francis Banda, Dominic Kanda and Ian Sindaye, while Golden Mashata of Green Buffaloes FC and Patson Kwataine of Mufulira Wanderers FC complete the midfield selections alongside Kelvin Chipelu of Forest Rangers FC. The wide range of clubs represented in the midfield gives Lwandamina several profiles to assess during the local camp. Competition in this area could be particularly important as Zambia prepares for matches that may require different tactical approaches depending on the opposition.
The striking department features a combination of players who will be eager to make an impact in front of goal. FC MUZA forward Bridger Ngandu has been included alongside Abel Nyirongo of Atletico Lusaka, while Green Eagles forwards Derrick Bulaya and newly acquired striker Rickson Ng’ambi also make the squad. Ng’ambi’s selection will attract particular interest following his move to Green Eagles, with the forward now having an opportunity to demonstrate his qualities in a national team environment. Bulaya’s inclusion gives Green Eagles two attacking representatives in the squad, adding further competition for places in the forward line. The strikers will need to impress during the camp if they are to strengthen their chances of being considered for Zambia’s competitive fixtures.
The 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign will present Zambia with a demanding challenge in Group I. The Chipolopolo have been drawn alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi, meaning every point will be important as the teams compete for qualification. Zambia will begin its campaign away against Algeria before returning home to host Togo in match day two in September. Playing Algeria away will provide an immediate test for the national team, particularly because away matches in qualifying competitions often require strong organisation and discipline. The home fixture against Togo will then offer Zambia an opportunity to use home support and conditions to pursue a positive result.
The local assessment camp does not include players from Zambia’s two CAF envoys, Power Dynamos and Red Arrows. Those clubs have continental commitments that prevent their players from being part of this particular assessment exercise. ZESCO United players are also unavailable because the club is involved in ongoing pre-season engagements in Tanzania. Their absence means the 28-player squad does not represent the full pool of domestic talent available to Zambia. However, the situation gives Lwandamina an opportunity to examine players from other clubs and identify individuals who can add depth to the national team setup.
The full 28-member squad consists of Mangani Banda, Victor Chabu, Bradley Mweene and Christo Chitambala as the goalkeepers. The defenders are Jonathan Kalimina, Headson Paina, Joseph Mulenga, Jackson Phiri, Frederick Mwimanzi, Tinkler Sinkala, Yoram Chanda and William Kamwanga. The midfield group includes Kelvin Mwanza, Given Kalusa, Chanda Chileshe, Humphrey Bwembya, Elliot Kampukesa, Nduna Zulu, Francis Banda, Dominic Kanda, Ian Sindaye, Golden Mashata, Patson Kwataine and Kelvin Chipelu. The four forwards are Bridger Ngandu, Abel Nyirongo, Derrick Bulaya and Rickson Ng’ambi, giving Lwandamina a broad group to assess across all areas of the pitch.
Lwandamina’s decision to combine emerging players with footballers who have already experienced international exposure could prove important as Zambia prepares for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The local camp provides an opportunity for players to compete for recognition while giving the technical team valuable information about their current form, fitness and tactical understanding. Young players such as the Under-17 quartet will also benefit from working alongside senior professionals and experiencing the standards expected at national team level. At the same time, established domestic players will have to show that they can challenge for places in a squad competing against strong African opposition. The assessment camp could therefore have implications that extend beyond the September fixtures and influence the future composition of the Chipolopolo.
Zambia’s qualification hopes will ultimately depend on performances when the competitive matches begin, but preparation remains a key part of the process. Lwandamina has used the local camp to widen his assessment of available domestic talent and create greater competition for national team places. The presence of young players alongside experienced footballers suggests an approach that combines immediate preparation with the development of Zambia’s next generation of international players. The opening assignment against Algeria will demand concentration and tactical discipline, while the subsequent home match against Togo will provide another important test. As the Chipolopolo prepare for their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, the 28-member local squad represents another step in building the team Zambia hopes can compete successfully for a place at the continental tournament.