SICHONE NAMES FINAL 28 “BULLETS” FOR AFCON AS SPAIN CAMP BEGINS

10.12.2025 | Football DNA

Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone has unveiled his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, trimming down the initial 55-man provisional list.

With preparations entering the final stretch, the team is set to travel to Murcia, Spain, for an intensive training camp scheduled for 11–17 December 2025. The camp will feature high-profile friendly matches aimed at sharpening the squad before the tournament kicks off.

One of the notable inclusions is Austria-based striker Jack Kalichi Lahne, who scored on his debut during the last FIFA window. Italy-based midfielder Joseph Liteta (Cagliari) also makes the final list after impressing in recent months.

Several standout performers from the MTN Super League have earned their places, including Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco), Given Kalusa (FC MUZA), Matthews Banda (Nkana) and Pascal Phiri (Zesco United). Power Dynamos duo Willard Mwanza and Owen Tembo, as well as Zanaco’s David Simukonda, are among the fresh faces joining the squad.

Two rising stars from the FIFA U17 World Cup—Jonathan Kalimina and Abel Nyirongo—along with FC MUZA winger Kelvin Mwanza, have been named on standby and will take part in the Spain camp.

However, Sichone will only have a full squad after 15 December, in line with the new FIFA mandatory release date for foreign-based players. This regulation, similar to that applied during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, shortens the traditional release window by seven days.

Zambia has been drawn in Group A, alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros, setting the stage for a highly competitive outing.

FULL 28-MAN SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

• Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)

• Francis Mwansa (Zanaco)

• Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

DEFENDERS

• Stopilla Sunzu (Changchun Yatai, China)

• Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC)

• Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United)

• Matthews Banda (Nkana)

• Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos)

• Gift Mphande (Zesco United)

• Obino Chisala (Al-Merikh SC, Sudan)

• David Hamasenya (Leganes, Spain)

• Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Republic)

MIDFIELDERS

• Miguel Changa Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland)

• Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)

• Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy)

• Kings Kangwa (Maccabi Be’er Sheeva, Israel)

• Given Kalusa (FC MUZA)

• David Simukonda (Zesco United)

• Wilson Chisala (Zanaco)

• Joseph Sabobo Banda (Maccabi Be’er Sheeva, Israel)

• Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy)

• Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia)

• Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg, Germany)

• Pascal Phiri (Zesco United)

STRIKERS

• Patson Daka (Leicester City, England)

• Jack Kalichi Lahne (Austria Lustenau, Austria)

• Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel)

• Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco)