Patson, Mwepu make Chipolopolo's Final 22

by Helder Ribiero

Monday Aug 30, 2021. 10:22

Leicester City striker Patson Daka and Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu have been released to feature for Chipolopolo in Friday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B qualifier away against Mauritania in Nouakchott.

The development is a huge relief for Chipolopolo coach Beston Chambeshi after doubts about their availability.

This follows English clubs’ official decision a week ago not to release players heading for international duty to countries that are on the UK’s Covid-19 Red List.

Zambia is on the Red List and travellers from there are required to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine upon arrival in the UK.

Mauritania is on the Amber List where arrivals into Britain are exempt if they are fully vaccinated.

Chipolopolo’s match-day-two fixture is at home on September 7 against Tunisia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

“They will be available to face Mauritania but it’s still uncertain if they will feature against Tunisia unless the FIFA request gets a positive feedback,” FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala told AF from Marrakech where Chipolopolo are winding down a 10-day training camp before flying out of Morocco to Nouakchott in mid-week.

Meanwhile, Mwepu and Daka are part of eight foreign-based call-ups in Chambeshi’s final 22-member team for the September’s 2022 Qatar Group B qualifiers.

South African-based goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe of Baroka FC, defender Tandi Mwape of DR Congo champions TP Mazembe and midfielder Clatous Chama from Moroccan club RS Berkane are the high-profile names in the team.

But Glasgow Rangers striker Fashion Sakala is unavailable following a three-week layoff due to a groin injury.

Meanwhile, there is also a recall for Swedish-based attacking midfielder Edward Chilufya who returns after a ten-month exile.

Chilufya’s last call-up was under the regime of Chambeshi’s predecessor Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic in October 2020 during Chipolopolo’s three-match friendly series against Malawi, Kenya and South Africa when FIFA lifted its Covid-19 embargo on international matches.

TEAM:

GOALKEEPERS: Mwenya Chibwe (Baroka FC,South Africa), Gregory Sanjase (Young Green Eagles), Lameck Siame (Zanaco)

DEFENDERS:Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (both Red Arrows), Simon Silwimba, Solomon Sakala (both Zesco United), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors)

MIDFIELDERS:Enock Mwepu (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Clatous Chama (RS Berkane, Morocco), Dickson Chapa, Kelvin Mubanga (both Zesco United), Spencer Sautu (Power Dynamos) Benson Sakala(Unattached), Lubambo Musonda (AC Horsens, Denmark), Roderick Kabwe (Unattached), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Boyd Musonda (Zanaco)

STRIKERS:Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Edward Chilufya (Djurgardens IF, Sweden)