The final 27 players in Avram Grant’s Chipolopolo squad have been announced for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Ivory Coast on January 13.
The 2012 African champions are in Group F alongside Morocco, Tanzania, and two-times African Champions, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Before choosing the final team, Grant and his technical staff have been accessing 30 players at the National Heroes Stadium over the course of four days.
Zambia’s first match is on January 17 against Congo at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in the coastal city of San Pedro.
Four days later the Chipolopolo will take on the Taifa Stars of Tanzania before winding up their group matches on January 24 against the Atlas Lions.
Goalkeepers
Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)
Defenders
Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Stoppilla Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou-China), Roderick Kabwe (Zakho Sports Club-Iraq), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe-Congo), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Frankie Musonda (Ayr United-Scotland), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon Lezion-Israel), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards)
Midfielders
Emmanuel Banda (HNK Rijeka-Croatia), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg-Denmark), Kelvin Kapumbu, Kelvin Mubanga (both Zesco United), Edward Chilufya (Hacken-Sweden), Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos),
Others are Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland), Benson Sakala (FK Mlada-Czech Republic), Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune-RSA), Klings Kangwa (Crzvena Zvezda-Serbia), Clatous Chama (Simba-Tanzania)
Strikers
Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans-Tanzania), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy).
Dropped
Those who have not made the final squad includes Evans Kangwa (Qindao Hainui-China), Andrew Phiri (FC Muza), Francisco Mwepu (Atletico Sanluqueno-Spain), Brian Mwila (Zanaco).
Other are Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Teddy Khumalo (Green Buffaloes), Fred Mwiche (Trident), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars) and goalie Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
Final squad to camp in Saudi Arabia
The squad will leave for Saudi Arabia on New Year’s Day for an international camp preceding the AfCON and will set base in Jeddah.
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In Jeddah Zambia will play Cameroon on January 9 as part of preparations for the tournament with another friendly on the cards with another AfCON bound squad.
