Following trials held over the weekend at Queensmead Stadium, the Southern and Western Provinces dominated the Lusaka Zone’s 30-member provisional senior national team selection.
Over a hundred players and five provinces converged in Lusaka for the two-day trials, with provincial teams competing in a round-robin format.
Southern Province emerged as the strongest side, going unbeaten in four matches, winning two and drawing two, while Eastern won two and lost once, followed by Western and Central, who won one and drew one, and the Lusaka provincial team failed to win any of them.
The Football Association of Zambia has announced the squads, with players from all provinces making the cut.
Southern and Western have contributed seven players to the Lusaka Zone team while Eastern and Lusaka have each contributed six players to the Midlands squad which will be monitored by Chipolopolo Boys coach Avram Grant and technical director Lyson Zulu.
Central Province has called up four players to the squad.
Some notable performers during the matches included New Monze Swallows attacking midfielder Sinyangwe Kapembwa (Southern Province), Western Province goalkeeper David Likasi, Eastern Province’s Dalitso Zulu, and Western Province’s Edward Mwale.
After the Midlands versus Copperbelt match, the final team will be picked to face the All-Stars, with the outstanding players likely to be included in the senior team.
FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga has revealed that the selection process will become a continuous assessment process.
“We are extremely happy with the way this exercise has gone so far. We applaud the provinces and technical experts for their participation. Going forward, this will be a routine occurrence for the selection of national team players at all levels,” says Kamanga.
BELOW ARE THE SQUADS FOR LUSAKA AND COPPERBELT ZONES
LUSAKA SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: David Likasi (Western), Anatole Bweupe (Southern), Simon Banda (Lusaka)
DEFENDERS: Christopher Chulu, Choolwe Hampongo, Kapumbu Mutale (all Southern). Tabo Mukumbuta (Western), Henry Banda (Eastern), Samson Ngulube (Lusaka). Leonard Kabata (Central), Mario Carlos (Western)
MIDFIELDERS: Alick Phiri, Gibson Hazileba, Nelson Chilemu (all Lusaka), Dalitso Zulu, Abraham Phiri. Mwiza Chilembo, Isaac Moonga (all Eastern), Kapembwa Sinyangwe, Samiwe Mwila (Southern). Abraham Tembo, Evans Siakomela, Ephraim Masase (Central), Edward Mwale, Kalwisha Chifwela, Pumulo Sitwala (Western),
STRIKERS: Francis Mbewe (Eastern), Eliya Andanji (Lusaka), Praise Kasunga (Southern), Mubiana Sai (Western)
COPPERBELT SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Assay Chikaza Taimolok, Eustace Mwewa (both Copperbelt), Elvis Lungu (Muchinga), Champo Musangulu (Luapula)
DEFENDERS: Isaac Mwenya, Alex Mwitwa, Kelvin Sakulula, Clivette Mwamba (all Copperbelt). Nicholas Chibwe, Chungu Musunga, Paul Chasha (all Luapula), William Kamwanga (North Western), Samuel Simutowe (Northern),
MIDFIELDERS: Alex Sikombe (Northern), Gift Chisha, Levison Mulenga, Samuel Muyemba (all Luapula), Robert Mutipula, Mukuka Kasonde. Mwango Chisulo, Jackson Chisekela (all Copperbelt), Bevin Mwila, Lesa Mwape, Evans Mwansa (all Muchinga),
STRIKERS: Oswald Nkandu, Emmanuel Simwembe, Christopher Kaira, Mwambe Mayembe (all Copperbelt), Obed Simutenda, Mischeck Mwansa (both Northern)
