Foreign based trio make final U23 team

Lubambo Musonda @ SS com

Fighton Simukonda has named three foreign-based players in his final 21-member team that leaves on Tuesday for the 2015 CAF Under-23 Cup in Senegal.

Prominent on the list is Armenian based midfielder Lubambo Musonda who scored a goal in Zambia’s 2-0 home win over Sudan in a 2018 World Cup second round, qualifier on November 15 in Ndola.

Egyptian-based striker Ronald Kampamba of Wadi Degla and midfielder Obby Chirwa of FC Platinum in Zimbabwe have also made the cut.

Missing is Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Mukuka Mulenga who has endured an inactive period in the PSL.

Meanwhile, Simukonda has axed some high-profile Under-17 and Under-20 names from the traveling party.

The dropped players include the Power Dynamos midfield duo of Patson Daka and Larry Bwalya including Under-20 goalkeeper Mangani Banda.

But Lusaka Dynamos teenage striker Conlyde Luchanga is set for his Under-23 debut after lighting-up with the seniors recently and was part of the 2018 World Cup qualifying team that played Sudan last week.

Other notables from that Chipolopolo team that faced Sudan and are also in the team are Benedict Chepeshi, Boyd Mkandawire, Spencer Sautu and Paul Katema.

Zambia are in Group A at the Senegal tournament alongside the hosts, Tunisia and South Africa.

They will face Tunisia in their opening game on November 28.

Team:

Goalkeepers: Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco), Kenny Mumba (Red Arrows), Lawrence Mulenga (Kabwe Warriors)

Defenders: Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Taonga Bwembya (Mufulira Wanderers), Kapota Kayawe (Nkana), Solomon Sakala (Kabwe Warriors), Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos)

Midfielders: Jackson Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Salulani Phiri (Zanaco), Spencer Sautu (Green Eagles), John Ching’andu (Zesco United), Lubambo Musonda (Gandzasar, Armenia), Obrey Chirwa (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe)

Strikers: Ronald Kampamba (Wadi Degla, Egypt), Patrick Ngoma (Red Arrows), Conlyde Luchanga (Lusaka Dynamos), Friday Samu (Green Buffaloes)