By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Wedson Nyirenda has stressed the importance of senior Chipolopolo’s home-based first-team players in his 2025 CHAN qualifiers team.
Four prominent players who were part of Avram Grant’s team that qualified for 2025 AFCON are in Nyirenda’s provisional 33-member CHAN team to face Mozambique during the Christmas period.
They are defenders Dominic Chanda of Power Dynamos and Kabwe Warriors’ Kabaso Chongo.
Goalkeepers Lawrence Mulenga and Charles Kalumba from Power Dynamos and Red Arrows respectively are the other members of the quartet.
Zesco United goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata is missing reportedly out due to injury.
Nyirenda said it was also an honour to be back in the Chipolopolo set for his second CHAN qualifiers after successfully leading Zambia to Morocco 2018 where his team reached the quarterfinals.
“It’s good to have a number of players that were part of the AFCON qualifiers. It gives confidence to other players. Toaster is injured. The number of senior players will instill confidence into other players,” Nyirenda said.
CHAN is an acronym for CAF African Nations Championship a second tier AFCON exclusively for domestic league-based players that was first held in 2009.
Given Singuluma, Clatous Chama, Brian Mwila, Lazarus Kambole and Augustine Mulenga are all CHAN alumni while the late Justin Shonga was instrumental in 2018 qualifiers in which he scored 3 goals.
“A CHAN team should bring the number of players to the senior team. This is the most important thing. Qualifying for the finals give us more impetus in national rankings. We need to prove that we have what it takes to take the team to higher levels,” Nyirenda said.
Zambia, who enjoyed a preliminary stage bye, will face Mozambique in the final qualifying round starting away on December 21 in Maputo and at home on December 28 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The winner over both legs will qualify for the 2025 CHAN to be cohosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1-28.
This will be the second successive time Zambia and Mozambique will meet in a CHAN qualifier after the Mamba’s eliminated Chipolopolo from the Algeria 2023 CHAN race.
“We have started psyching them and we will spell out the task so that they understand the road map and direction we are taking,” said Nyirenda.
GOALKEEPERS: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Jackson Kakunta (Mines United), Lucas Mainza (Nkwazi FC), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
DEFENDERS: Mwape Mwenya (ZANACO FC), Rodgers Lukonde (Kansanshi Dynamos), David Hamansenya (Shamuel Academy), David Bulaya (NAPSA Stars), Kabaso Chongo, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Chilimba Moonga (Green Buffaloes)
MIDFIELDERS: Kelvin Kapumbu (ZANACO FC), Paul Katema, Ackim Mumba (both Red Arrows), Collins Makungu (Mufulira Wanderers), Lucky Wamundila (Mines United), Kelvin Mwanza (FC MUZA), Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos), Kenneth Kasanga (Nkwazi FC), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Jackson Kampamba (Mutondo Stars), Timothy Sichalwe (Atletico Lusaka), Abraham Siankombo (ZESCO United), Emmanuel Mwanza (NAPSA Stars)
STRIKERS: Titus Chansa (Mutondo Stars), Jimmy Mukeya (NAPSA Stars), Andrew Phiri (FC MUZA), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Daliso Lungu (Kansanshi Dynamos), Philemon Chilimina (Chirundu United).
