Zambia national team coach George Lwandamina has named a 30-member provisional squad for the back-to-back Group I 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Burundi in November.
The Copper Queens will host the Swallows on November 13th in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium before trekking to Bujumbura for the return leg four days later.
Lwandamina has named a blend of foreign-based players and top-performing local players, with in-form Zesco United striker Kennedy Musonda, fit-again Red Arrows defender Zephaniah Phiri and the red-hot airman Ackim Mumba making the cut.
Portugal-domiciled Chanka Zimba has made a return to the squad after finding a new base, while Gift Mphande has gotten a look-in from the technical bench.
The team will set up base in Ndola on Thursday, with some foreign-based players expected to join camp when the FIFA Window opens on November 9th.
Lwandamina is expected to trim the squad to 26 in the final stages of preparation. Algeria tops Group I with four points with Zambia lying second on three points while Togo is third with as many points.
Burundi lies bottom with a point after two rounds of matches. The AFCON PAMOJA 2027 which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will run from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
Zambia squad to face Burundi
Goalkeepers: Willard Mwanza, Lawrence Mulenga (both Power Dynamos), Luka Mainza (Red Arrows), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers).
Defenders: Mathews Banda (Bohemians Praha FC-Czech Republic), Zephaniah Phiri, Owen Mwamba (both Red Arrows), David Hamansenya (FC Slovan Liberec-Czech Republic), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Tinklar Sinkala (Zanaco), Ricky Chanda (Nomme United-Estonia), Jackson Phiri (Konkola Blades), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), William Kamwanga (Mufulira Wanderers).
Midfielders: Lameck Banda (Sewhly FC-Libya), Gamphani Lungu (Orlando Pirates-South Africa), Joshua Mutale, Wilson Chisala, Owen Tembo (all Power Dynamos), Obino Chisala (Al Merreikh-Sudan), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy), Ackim Mumba (Red Arrows), Kelvin Mwanza (FC Muza), Allan Mumba (Zesco United).
Strikers: Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Albert Kangwanda (Young Africans-Tanzania), Patson Daka (Hamburg-Germany), Kennedy Musonda (Zesco United), Chanka Zimba (Vitroia De Sernoche-Portugal).
Mhango makes Malawi squad
Meanwhile, Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa has named his final 24-man squad for their qualifying double header against Egypt.
The Flames will face the Pharaohs in Cairo on November 11th before hosting them in the return fixture on November 17th at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. The squad features 15 foreign-based players, with TP Mazembe forward Lanjesi Nkhoma earning a place after missing the coach’s previous three call-ups.
Mozambique-based forwards Richard Mbulu and Babatunde Adepoju have also been included, alongside Germany-based forward Mwisho Mhango of Hannover 96.
According to a statement from Malawi FA, Mayele Malango has been ruled out of the squad as his club, Sacramento Republic FC, is involved in the Western Conference semifinals of the 2026 USL Championship Playoffs.
Defender Denis Chembezi has also been left out due to injury, while goalkeeper William Thole misses out because of a lack of game time at his club.
Malawi will be looking to collect crucial points from the two encounters as they continue their Group B qualifying campaign.
The Flames started their campaign with a 2-1 victory against South Sudan before losing 3-1 against Angola. They are currently sitting third in the group with three points, while Egypt are top with four points.
Malawi squad to face Egypt;
Goalkeepers: Innocent Nyasulu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) and Precious Masamba (Blue Eagles).
Defenders: Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu SC), Gomezgani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum), McDonald Rameck (Hardrock), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Charles Petro (Botosani), Blessings Mpokera (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets) and Nickson Nyasulu (Scottland FC).
Midfielders: Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Chikumbutso Salima (Al-Merrikh SC), Lloyd Njaliwa (CAPS United) and Festus Duwe (Silver Strikers).
Forwards: Babatunde Adepoju (Costa do Sol), Ephraim Kondowe (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Richard Mbulu (Costa do Sol), Adiel Kaduya (Mustangs University), Fransisco Madinga (Kansanshi Dynamos), Patrick Mwaungulu (TP Mazembe), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers), Lanjesi Nkhoma (TP Mazembe), Wisedinho Mpinganjira (Black Bulls) and Mwisho Mhango (Hannover 96).
