Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda has named a 35-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2025 COSAFA Cup, set to run from June 4 to 15 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Chipolopolo has been drawn into Group D, alongside Botswana and Comoros.
In preparation not only for COSAFA but also the African Nations Championship (CHAN), Nyirenda has opted for an all-local squad, which includes players from provincial Division One leagues. The squad will also serve as a testing ground for Zambia’s readiness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, scheduled for September.
Among the standout young talents are striker Kenani Phiri from Makeni All Stars and midfielder Martin Mweemba from Barts FC. Phiri netted eight goals to help his side qualify for the National Division One playoffs, while Mweemba impressed in the Barts Absa Cup with two Man-of-the-Match performances, including one against eventual champions ZESCO United.
Six Power Dynamos players called
MTN Super League top scorer Titus Chansa has earned a call-up and will be joined by teammates Lawrence Mulenga, Club Anden Tembo, and Fredrick Mulambia.
Creative midfielder Kenneth Kasanga, who notched up 10 assists in the recently concluded season, has also been included. Meanwhile, Charles Zulu of Nkana makes a return to the COSAFA setup, where he famously scored his first international goal against Lesotho in 2016.
Nyirenda has also called upon experienced past COSAFA champions, including Kelvin Kapumbu, Ackim Mumba, Dominic Chanda, and Abraham Siankombo.
Zambia will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing showing in last year’s edition, where the team failed to progress past the group stage and exited without scoring a single goal.
This year’s tournament will be hosted in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, with matches scheduled at the Free State Stadium and Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium.
Zambia will kick off their campaign against Comoros on June 6 at the Toyota Stadium.
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