By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Recalled midfielder Gampani Lungu has completed the Chipolopolo camp lineup in Tizi-Ouzou ahead of Friday’s opening game in the 2027 AFCON Group I qualifiers against hosts Algeria.
The Orlando Pirates midfielder returns to the Chipolopolo fold for the first time since 2024.
Lungu recall comes after a good start at Pirates since joining the South African giants in the off season from Siwelele FC.
FAZ communications manager Nkweto Tembwe said in a statement from Algeria that Lungu arrival was preceded by that of Italian based midfielder, Joseph Liteta.
“The final two arrivals, Joseph Liteta and Gampani Lungu, completed the squad’s arrival schedule,” Tembwe said.
“Liteta arrived late last night, while Lungu landed in Algeria in the early hours of Tuesday and made his way straight to the team hotel, where he joined his teammates for breakfast shortly after arriving.”
The duo’s arrival comes after the European-based contingent of Patson Daka, Mathews Banda, Kingston Mutandwa, Ricky Chanda and Miguel Chaiwa joined camp on Sunday evening and were part of Monday’s training.
Chipolopolo arrived in Algiers over the weekend ahead of Group I match day one action on September 25 in Tizi-Ouzou at 21h00 Zambian time.
Zambia will complete the first phase of their 2026 AFCON Group I qualifiers assignments this month on September 29 at home against Togo in an 18:00 kickoff at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Chipolopolo are embarking on qualifying for a third successive AFCON.
The Algeria and Togo games will also mark Lwandamina’s first competitive games following his appointment in March that started with an away friendly against Argentina, which Chipolopolo lost 5-0 on March 31 in Buenos Aires.
