Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone says it was difficult to come up with the final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Sichone unveiled a 28-man final squad today, with eleven players from the previous edition notably absent.
The missing players include Emmanuel Banda, Benedict Chepeshi, Tandi Mwape, Rodrick Kabwe, Zephaniah Phiri, Clatous Chama, Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Kampamba, Rally Bwalya, Golden Mafwenta, and Edward Chilufya, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
Sichone has also drafted six players who took part in the 2025 U-20 AFCON: Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), David Hamansenya (CD Leganes, Spain), Matthews Banda (Nkana FC), David Simukonda (ZESCO United), Pascal Phiri (ZESCO United), and Eliya Mandanji (ZANACO FC).
Meanwhile, youngsters who impressed at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup—defender Jonathan Kalimina and striker Abel Nyirongo—have been placed on standby.
“It’s always difficult. There are emotions also because every player that we called expected to be a part of the final team but we cannot keep everyone,” Sichone told journalists in Lusaka on Tuesday.
He revealed that he spoke to the players left out to encourage them.
“So I had to find time to speak to the individuals and also to encourage the guys. This is not the end of their, their career, so they just need to continue working hard.”
The Chipolopolo Boys have since left for Spain, where they are expected to face Ivory Coast and DR Congo in two friendly matches before the AFCON.
Zambia is in Group A with hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros. They will kick off their campaign on December 22 against Comoros in Rabat.
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