Chipolopolo interim coach George Lwandamina has unveiled a 27-member squad for Zambia’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Algeria and Togo. The squad combines locally based players with several footballers competing in leagues outside Zambia, giving the interim coach a mix of domestic experience and international exposure. Among the most prominent names are Saudi Arabia-based forward Fashion Sakala of Al Fayha and striker Patson Daka, who is listed with Hamburg in Germany. Zambia face a demanding start to their qualifying campaign, with Algeria awaiting them away from home before Togo travel to Ndola four days later. Lwandamina has expressed confidence in the group as Zambia begin their push for a place at the continental tournament.
Zambia will open their Group I campaign against Algeria on September 25 in an away fixture that is expected to provide an early test for Lwandamina and his players. The Chipolopolo will then return home to face Togo on September 29 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The short gap between the two matches will require careful squad management and strong preparation from the coaching staff. Zambia are in Group I alongside Algeria, Burundi and Togo, meaning every result could have a significant influence on the qualification race. Starting the campaign with points from the opening two matches would provide valuable momentum as the team works through the qualifying schedule.
Lwandamina has selected four goalkeepers for the squad, with Victor Chabu of Nchanga Rangers, Lawrence Mulenga of Power Dynamos, Luka Mainza of Red Arrows and Willard Mwanza of Power Dynamos included. The selection provides competition for the starting position while giving the technical team several options between the posts. Chabu, Mulenga, Mainza and Mwanza all bring domestic league experience and will have the opportunity to establish themselves within the national team setup. Goalkeeping depth can become particularly important during a demanding international window where injuries or disciplinary issues can affect squad availability. The four players will also compete during training for the opportunity to feature in the opening qualifiers.
The defensive group contains 12 players drawn from clubs in Zambia and abroad. Mathews Banda of Bohemians Praha, David Hamasenya of FC Slovan Liberec and Ricky Chanda of Nõmme United provide international club experience, while Obinno Chisala brings experience from Al Merreikh in Sudan. The domestic contingent includes Owen Mwamba of Red Arrows, Dominic Chanda of Power Dynamos, Tinkler Sinkala of Zanaco and Fredrick Mwimanzi of Zanaco. The squad also includes defenders from other domestic clubs, giving Lwandamina several options when deciding on his defensive formation. With Algeria representing Zambia’s first opponent, defensive organisation will be particularly important when the team travels for the opening qualifier.
The midfield selection features a combination of established domestic players and footballers competing abroad. Owen Tembo and Wilson Sosho Chisala represent Power Dynamos, while Joseph Liteta is listed with Cagliari in Italy and Miguel Changa Chaiwa with Hibernian in Scotland. David Simukonda plays for El Gouna in Egypt, while Given Kalusa represents FC Muza in Zambia and Pascol Phiri is listed with Al-Ittihad Alexandria in Egypt. Gamphani Jones Lungu of Orlando Pirates in South Africa and Lameck Banda of Swehly in Libya add further international club experience to the midfield. This range of backgrounds gives Lwandamina different options for controlling possession, creating opportunities and providing defensive cover.
The forward line contains some of the most recognisable names in the squad, led by Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka. Sakala brings experience from Saudi Arabia with Al Fayha, while Daka is listed with Hamburg in Germany and will be expected to provide an attacking threat. Kingstone Mutandwa of Servette in Switzerland and Albert Kangwanda of Young Africans in Tanzania also give the team options in the final third. Eliya Mandanji of Red Arrows adds another locally based attacking option, while Chanka Solomon Zimba has been included despite currently being unattached to a club. The variety in the forward line gives the technical team different attacking profiles to consider depending on the opposition and match situation.
Sakala is likely to attract considerable attention because of his experience playing outside Zambia and his ability to operate in attacking positions. His presence provides Lwandamina with a player accustomed to competing in a demanding professional environment. Daka will also be an important figure in the squad, particularly because Zambia will need goals to compete effectively in a group containing Algeria, Burundi and Togo. International qualifiers often require forwards to make the most of limited chances, especially in away matches against strong opponents. The experience of Zambia’s leading attackers could therefore become an important factor during the opening fixtures.
The presence of players from Zambia’s domestic clubs is equally important because they provide familiarity with the local football environment and have regular experience playing together against domestic opposition. Power Dynamos has several representatives across the squad, while Red Arrows and Zanaco also contribute multiple players. This domestic core can help provide continuity within the national team and support players arriving from different leagues. At the same time, international-based players bring exposure to different tactical systems, levels of competition and playing environments. Finding the right balance between these groups will be one of Lwandamina’s key tasks during the preparation period.
The match against Algeria will present an immediate challenge for Zambia because the Chipolopolo will begin their campaign away from home. Algeria have considerable experience in African international football and will be among the teams expected to compete strongly in the group. Zambia will need to remain organised, disciplined and efficient if they are to collect a positive result in the opening fixture. The second match against Togo will then provide an opportunity for the team to use home advantage at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Managing the physical demands of two competitive matches within four days will also be important for the coaching staff.
The qualifying campaign is part of the road towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The tournament will bring together the continent’s leading national teams, making qualification a major objective for Zambia. The Chipolopolo will need consistency throughout the qualifying campaign because Group I offers little room for dropped points. Results against Algeria and Togo will establish the team’s early position before further matches against Burundi and the other group opponents. Lwandamina’s 27-member squad will therefore face immediate pressure to translate his confidence in the players into performances and results.
The squad announcement gives Zambia a clear starting point for a qualifying campaign that will demand preparation, discipline and consistency. Lwandamina has selected players with experience across Zambia, South Africa, Europe, the Middle East and other African leagues, while also giving opportunities to domestic-based footballers. The inclusion of Sakala and Daka gives the Chipolopolo recognised attacking options as they prepare for two difficult fixtures. Zambia’s opening away match against Algeria will test the team immediately, while the home fixture against Togo could provide an important opportunity to build momentum. With the 2027 AFCON places at stake, the Chipolopolo will need to turn their squad depth and international experience into positive results from the opening rounds.
