Zambia call on foreign-based stars for Under-23 Afcon

Patson Daka (R)

Wednesday Oct 30, 2019. 16:00

Zambia coach Beston Chambeshi has named eight foreign-based players in his final squad for the 2019 Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations, with the team set to camp in Spain before heading to the finals in Egypt from November 8-22.

It remains to be seen whether all of the eight that Chambeshi has called will be released by their clubs, but he has been bold in his selections, including Red Bull Salzburg duo Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu.

Daka has been on fire in the Austrian league this season with nine goals in 11 appearances, while Mwepu has also been a key figure.

If the pair are allowed to link up with the national team it will also mean they miss the UEFA Champions League trip to Napoli on November 5.

Fashion Sakala and Emmanuel Banda of Belgian side KV Oostende have also received the nod, along with Kings Kangwa and Lameck Banda from Russian outfit Arsenal Tula.

Edward Chilufya of Swedish club Djurgardens and goalkeeper Bradley Mweene (Real Kings, South Africa), son of Chipolopolo legend Kennedy Mweene, are the others.

Zambia open their Group B campaign against South Africa on November 9, before a clash with Nigeria three days later. They finish against Ivory Coast on November 15.

Zambia Under-23 squad:

Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Patrick Chooma (Kabwe Youth Academy), Bradley Mweene (Real Kings, South Africa)

Defenders: Moses Nyondo (Nkana), Prosper Chiluya (Kabwe Warriors), Kebson Kamanga (Zanaco), Shemmy Mayembe, Solomon Sakala (both Zesco United)

Midfielders: Field Kandela (Kabwe Warriors), Harrison Chisala, Oliver Lumbiya (Nkana), Enock Mwepu (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Emmanuel Banda (Oostende, Belgium), Edward Chilufya (Djurgardens, Sweden), Benson Chali (Forest Rangers), Ngosa Sunzu (Buildcon), Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula, Russia)

Strikers: Patson Daka (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Biston Banda (Buildcon), Lameck Banda (Arsenal Tula, Russia), Fashion Sakala (Oostende, Belgium)