Bwale names U-20 COSAFA squad
ZAMBIA under-20 national soccer team coach Charles Bwale has named his final 20-member squad for the 2018 Mopani COSAFA Cup tournament to be held in Kitwe.
Bwale has named four foreign-based players in his final squad which will host the COSAFA youth championship which will run from December 2 to 14.
The 2017 Under-20 AFCON winner and 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup quarterfinalist, Edward Chilufya from Swedish club Djurgardens, will lead the team in their quest to reclaim the COSAFA title they lost last year.
UK-based striker Mwiya Malumo is also set to make his debut appearance at the youth championship after featuring in the AFCON qualifiers.
Other foreign based players drafted in the squad include Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lameck Banda and goalkeeper Bradley Mweene of South African NFD side University of Pretoria who will be making his COSAFA junior tournament debut.
Bwale has maintained five players from the 2017 COSAFA Under-20 tournament which includes goalkeeper Prince Bwalya plus defenders Kingsley Hakwiya and midfielder Prince Mumba.
Midfielder Musonda Kalale failed to make the cut this time while his ex-Chambishi club mate Francisco Mwepu is away in Austria on trials at RB Salzburg.
Zambia are in Group A together with Malawi, Mozambique and guest side DR Congo.
The hosts will kick off their campaign on match day one against DR Congo at Nkana Stadium, the host venue for all group-A games. FULL SQUAD; Goalkeepers:
Prince Bwalya (Green Buffaloes), Bradley Mweene (University of Pretoria, South Africa) Defenders:
Kingsley Hakwiya (Dream Factory), Christopher Katongo (Kasama United Youth Academy), Andrew Phiri (Kafue Celtics), Gideon Miyanda (Lusaka Youth) Midfielders:
Benson Kolala (Nchanga Rangers), Kings Kangwa (Happy Hearts), Thomas Zulu, Albert Kangwanda (both Kafue Celtics), Chanda Mukuka (Gomes), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Oliver Lumbiya, Patrick Gondwe (both Young Nkana), Lameck Banda (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa) Golden Mashata (Happy Hearts), Edward Chilufya (Djurgardens IF, Sweden) Forwards:
James Chilimina (Kafue Celtics), Mwiya Malumo ( Vulcan FC), Emmanuel Mwiinde ( Young Green Buffaloes)