Chipolopolo head coach George Lwandamina has indicated that next month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Togo are likely to feature a squad dominated by foreign-based players.
Lwandamina was speaking after overseeing a local training camp at Nkoloma Stadium on Friday, as preparations for the crucial qualifiers began with a locally assembled side.
He explained that the current camp is the first phase of preparations and is mainly focused on assessing locally based players, including those who recently featured in international assignments.
“We are getting players, those who went to Botswana and those who went to Argentina. This is the group that we have,” Lwandamina said.
Foreign-based players to dominate squad
With foreign-based players only expected to join camp closer to the qualifiers, Lwandamina said the technical bench is using the current camp to evaluate local talent and determine who can compete for places in the final squad.
Asked how much of a chance local players have of making the final team, the Chipolopolo boss remained optimistic.
“Chances are there. They are players. We don’t know which ones will come from abroad, so we have to start with them. So that’s the chance they have,” he said.
“After a week or so, we convene again, especially with the locals. As you may be aware, professionals [foreign-based] can only come two weeks before the game,” he added. “So we have to train with the locals, hoping one or two or three will make it to the final.”
While he stopped short of naming the players expected to form the backbone of the squad, Lwandamina suggested that the bulk of the team would likely come from the foreign-based contingent.
“Those who are playing in the diaspora, they’re active, and that’s where most of the team will come from,” he said, in reference to the Chipolopolo Boys playing abroad.
Zambia will face Algeria away on September 23 before hosting Togo on September 27 in matchdays one and two, respectively, of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
