Zambia coach Herve Renard has revealed his 26-man crack squad to face Ghana in next month's World Cup qualifier.
Renard kept faith in the bulk of the team that minted gold at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea but has brought in new blood in every department.
Red Arrows goal minder Danny Munyao has come in at the expense of Joshua Titima in the goal keeping department. Munyao is a member of the delightful U20 class of 2007 which participated at the FIFA world cup.
In defence, Zimbabwe based young Aaron Katebe has impressed the coach in training and in the practice match against Angola in which he played 90 minutes.
Emmanuel Mbola also returns from a FIFA suspension and his presence at left back will be more than welcome especially with veteran Joseph Musonda not having seen much game time since the final match of the AFCON in which he sustained an injury.
In midfield, Power Dynamos captain who impressed in yesterdays match in Angola has deservedly gotten a nod to join the elite in training.
Versatile midfielder Thomas Nyirenda also joins his club captain with newly crowned Israeli champions midfielder William Njovu completing the number of new call-ups in midfield. Both Thomas and William missed the E – Guinea / Gabon tournament due to injury.
Clifford Mulenga who was sent home for disciplinary reasons during the AFCON tournament misses out on the list of midfielders called.
Rodgers Kola who recently signed for Belgium top club Genk has forced his way into the squad and is joined by TP Mazembe ‘Red Hot’ striker Given Singuluma who has been in scintillating form scoring and creating goals for his club.
Golden Arrows top man Collins Mbesuma misses out as well as young Evans Kangwa who has not had much game time at his club and failed to impress in yesterday’s game in Luanda.
Renard has also left the door open for the return of Netherlands based striker in case he is deemed fit as well Joseph Musonda.
The team will set-up camp in Johannesburg South Africa from the 20th of May and will fly directly to Khartoum for the match against Sudan.
Eight players are expected to be dropped before the Sudan game.
Full Squad;
Kennedy MWEENE , Kakonje KALILILO , Danny MUNYAU .
Davies NKAUSU , Emmanuel M’BOLA , Stoppilla SUNZU , Chintu KAMPAMBA , Hichani HIMONDE , Aaron KATEBE , Nyambe MULENGA , Francis KASONDE .
Nathan SINKALA , William NJOBVU , Isaac CHANSA , Thomas NIYRENDA , Joseph SITALI , Chisamba LUNGU , Raindford Kalaba , Noah CHIVUTA , Felix KATONGO .
Jonas SAKUWAHA , Chistopher KATONGO , James CHAMANGA , Emmanuel MAYUKA , Rodger KOLA , Given SINGULUMA .