Zambia National Team coach Avram Grant named a 29-man squad for the decisive 2023 TotalEnergies AFCON Group H qualifying match against Ivory Coast on June 17 at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Making a cut in the squad is in-form F.C. Muza striker Andrew Phiri, who received his first senior national team call-up.
This follows an impressive season in the Zambian Super League, where he helped his team finish second and qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup.
Phiri was also instrumental in the Mazabuka-based side’s 2023 ABSA Cup campaign, which saw them reach the final for the first time ever before losing 2-0 to Forest Rangers last weekend.
He is the Super League’s second-highest scorer with 14 goals, trailing only Power Dynamos striker Andy Boyile, who has 17 goals.
In an exclusive interview with Bolanews, the 22-year-old striker expressed his delight at his first call-up, describing it as a great honour.
“I am very happy because I think I have really worked hard this season, and my hard work has finally paid off, so I am really happy,” he said in an exclusive interview.
Phiri hopes to be part of history as Zambia looks to return to the continent’s biggest football showpiece.
“Playing for the national team is really an honour, and going there, I just want to work for the country and help the team qualify for the AFCON because it has really been a long time since Zambia qualified for the AFCON,” he said.
Phiri admits the call-up has motivated him
The F.C. Muza striker also expressed his excitement to be in the Chipolopolo camp and learn from players like Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka, who play in Europe.
“For me, it’s mostly motivation because I will be playing with the likes of Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala; those are big names, and they are playing in some of the biggest and toughest leagues in the world, like the Premier League, so I will be motivated, and I’m looking forward to learning.”
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The Chipolopolo Boys are second in Group H, nine points behind leaders Ivory Coast, who have already qualified for the tournament as hosts.
Zambia is just a point away from qualifying for the Africa Cup for the first time since 2015.
