AFCON2023: Chama in as Zambia name final squad

Simba midfielder Clatous Chama has made it to Zambia’s final 27-man team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Coach Avram Grant included the creative midfielder in his final squad for the tournament set to kick off on January 13 and run until February 11 in Ivory Coast.

Zambia are placed in Pool F of the tournament alongside Morocco, the DR Congo, and Tanzania.

The team will head to West Africa, hoping to lay hands on the African crown for the second time.

Grant, while naming the final, reserved a slot for veteran centre-back Stoppila Sunzu, who was part of the squad that won the 2012 edition, beating Ivory Coast on post-match penalties in Libreville, Gabon.

Sunzu, struck the winning penalty to see the Chipolopolo secure an 8-7 win over the Elephants.

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Other notable inclusions in the final team are Yanga forward Kennedy Musonda, who has been instrumental to the club’s rise as far as CAF competitions are concerned.

Former Simba midfielder Rally Bwalya who plies trade in South Africa with Sekhukhune, is also in the team, as is the Italy-based Lameck Banda.

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Goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and midfielders Kelvin Kapumbu and Kelvin Kapamba who all share the dressing room with Kenyan international Ian Otieno at Zesco United, are also in the team.

The three are part of the eight players who play in the domestic league in Zambia.

Leicester City dangerman Patson Daka and the Serbia-based Kings Kangwa are some of the big names in the final team.

Goalkeepers

Lawrence Mulenga

Francis Mwansa

Toaster Nsabata

Defenders

Dominic Chanda

Benedict Chepeshi

Roderick Kabwe

Gift Mphande

Frankie Musonda

Tandi Mwape

Zephaniah Phiri

Stoppilla Sunzu

Midfielders

Emmanuel Banda

Rally Bwalya

Miguel Chaiwa

Clatous Chama

Edward Chilufya

Kings Kangwa

Kelvin Kapumbu

Golden Mafwenta

Kelvin Mubanga

Frederick Mulambia

Lubambo Musonda

Benson Sakala

Forwards

Lameck Banda

Patson Daka

Kennedy Musonda

Fashion Sakala

Additional Reporting by CAF Online