Chipolopolo interim coach George Lwandamina has unveiled a 38 member provisional squad ahead of the Four Nations Tournament scheduled to take place in Francistown, Botswana from March 23 to 31. The tournament will feature Zambia alongside regional rivals Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi in what has been branded the Kings of the South showdown. The competition provides an important opportunity for the national team to test combinations and build momentum ahead of upcoming continental qualifiers. Lwandamina’s selection blends experienced internationals with emerging young talents in a move aimed at strengthening squad depth. The squad will later be reduced to 26 players before the team travels to Botswana for the competition.
A notable feature of the provisional squad is the inclusion of 15 foreign based players who currently compete in leagues across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Among the most anticipated names is Scotland based forward Chanka Zimba who has long been monitored by the national team technical bench. Zimba recently completed his naturalisation process which makes him eligible to represent Zambia internationally. His expected debut will place him alongside other foreign based players such as Frankie Musonda and Jack Lahne who also switched international allegiance to represent the Chipolopolo. Another significant inclusion is Kingstone Mutandwa who returns to the national team setup after recovering from injury.
Lwandamina has also demonstrated strong confidence in youth by integrating standout players from Zambia’s Under 17 squad that competed at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2025. The young players include captain Jonathan Kalimina along with Abel Nyirongo and goalkeeper Christo Chitambala. Their inclusion signals the coach’s intention to gradually build a new generation of national team players capable of competing at the highest level. These youngsters impressed scouts and technical staff with their performances on the international youth stage. Integrating them into the senior setup offers valuable exposure and prepares them for future continental competitions.
Despite the focus on youth, Lwandamina has maintained a strong core of experienced players who bring international experience to the team. The squad retains several players who previously represented Zambia at the Africa Cup of Nations. Among them are striker Patson Daka, forward Fashion Sakala and midfielder Lubambo Musonda. Other experienced campaigners include goalkeeper Willard Mwanza and defenders such as Dominic Chanda. The presence of these players provides leadership within the squad and ensures balance between youth development and competitive performance.
Local league players also feature prominently in the provisional squad which reflects the continued growth of Zambia’s domestic football structure. One of the standout selections is forward Albert Kangwanda who has been in impressive scoring form in the local league with ten goals so far this season. His performances have attracted attention from the national team selectors and earned him a place in the provisional squad. Several other players from domestic clubs have also been included following consistent performances at club level. Their selection highlights the role of local competitions in supplying talent to the national team.
The Four Nations Tournament will serve as a critical preparation platform for Zambia as the team prepares for the qualifiers of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The qualifying campaign for the tournament hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will begin in September and run through November in a tight schedule. Competitive matches in Francistown will allow the technical bench to evaluate player combinations and tactical approaches. It will also provide younger players with valuable international match experience. Strong performances in Botswana could help establish the foundation for a successful qualifying campaign.
Lwandamina’s provisional squad therefore reflects a strategic balance between experienced international stars, emerging youth prospects and in form domestic players. The blend gives the coaching staff a wide pool of talent to assess before finalising the traveling squad. The upcoming tournament will provide crucial insights into player form, tactical cohesion and squad depth. With regional rivals providing stiff competition, the Kings of the South showdown offers Zambia an ideal testing ground. The tournament may also mark the beginning of a refreshed Chipolopolo side preparing to compete strongly in the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
