MUTAPA NAMES FINAL U-23 SQUAD FOR MONROVIA ASSIGNMENT

ZAMBIA Under-23 National Team coach Oswald Mutapa has named his final 18-member squad for Saturday’s TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, Morocco 2023 encounter against Sierra Leone.

The Squad consisting of local stars only will face Sierra Loene in a game to be played in neighbouring Liberia as Sierra Leone has no CAF certified stadium to host international matches.

According to the Football Association of Zambia, foreign based players summoned for international duty could not honour the call-up because the match against Sierra Leone falls outside the FIFA window.

Mutapa has also roped in Cosafa Under-20 Best Goalkeeper, Jeban Tembo, in the squad with Zambian Super League Napsa Stars forward Jimmy ‘ Zobrigo’ Mukeya, Nkana’s Patrick Gondwe and Joshua Mutale of Power Dynamos making the cut.

The Zambian team leave for Monrovia on Wednesday for the first leg, second round tie before hosting Sierra Leone on October 29 at National Heroes Stadium in the reverse fixture.

The TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, Morocco 2023 is being used as a qualifier for the Paris 2023 Olympic Games.

Top three teams at the AFCON automatically qualify to the Olympics while the fourth team plays an inter-continental friendly.

FINAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Jeban Tembo (Red Arrows), Francis Mwansa (Trident) (DEFENDERS)

Emmanuel Chembe, Mathews Chabala (both Nchanga Rangers), Chikondi Njobvu (Green Eagles), John Chishimba (Zesco United), Brian Musema (Jumulo)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Patrick Gondwe (Nkana), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), John Kosamu, Golden Mashata (both Green Buffaloes), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Muma Mumba (Kafue Eagles), Christopher Katongo (Kansanshi Dynamos), Luwawa Kasoma (Zesco United)

(STRIKERS)

Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars), Enock Sakala Jr (Zesco United), Andrew Phiri (MUZA)