Zambia National Team coach Avram Grant has named his final squad for the 2023 Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Leicester City and Rangers FC strikers Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala are headlining the squad.

Zesco United Lazarous Kambole returns to the squad for the first time in three years, while Young Africans SC forward Kennedy Musonda and Red Arrows FC striker Joseph Phiri are the team’s new strikers.

Sekhukhune United F.C goalkeeper Toasta Nsabanta, Forest Ranger’s Allan Chibwe, and Power Dynamos’ Lawrence Mulenga are Grant’s three shot-stoppers.

Grant has also included Inter Miami defender Aime Mabika in his defence despite the controversy surrounding the issuance of his passport by Zambian authorities.

RELATED STORY: Mabika’s passport not issued- FAZ

Meanwhile, Athletico Lusaka and Mufulira Wanderers youngsters Teddy Khumalo and Patson Kwataine have been handed their debut call-ups.

“I did not use mercy,” says Grant on the selection of his final squad

Speaking during the official unveiling of the squad, Grant said it was difficult for him to come up with the final squad.

“It was very very difficult to choose the players, they made my life hard but the door is open for everybody,” he said.

He also stated that he did not select players based on emotions and that some of them did not express a passion to play for Zambia.

“The players [selected] deserve to be in the squad. I did not use any mercy [to select the players]. The players I have chosen are the best to do this job, but the door is still open for everybody.”

The former Chelsea gaffer added that the players he has selected have proven themselves and that they deserve to be in his team.

“They [the players selected] were very good in training camp; they were good when I saw them in leagues and games. Of course, they need to prove themselves, but so far they deserve it because they proved themselves in the games I saw them play and in the training camp.”

Grant emphasized that his players must show passion, quality, and the will to fight for the country.

Grant and his Copper Bullets clash with Lesotho

The Chipolopolo Boys will host Lesotho at the Levy Mwanawansa Stadium in Ndola on March 23rd before traveling to South Africa for the return leg on March 26th.

Zambia and Comoros both have 3 points, while the Ivory Coast has 4 points and tops Group H. Lesotho is at the bottom of the group with one point.

The Chipolopolo Boys are looking to return to the AFCON after missing the last three editions. The last time they took part, in 2015, they were eliminated at the group stage.

The vastly experienced manager will, however, bank on star players like Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Klings Kangwa, Lameck Banda, Frankie Musonda, etc, to win his first match for Zambia.