Fashion Sakala misses out again 

Saudi Arabia based forward Fashion Sakala Jr has been left out of the Chipolopolo Boys squad for the back to back 2025 AFCON qualifiers. 

This follows a fallout between the coach and the player back in May when Sakala was left out of the back to back World Cup qualifiers. 

Despite Grant not having his first choice striker Patson Daka who is out nursing an injury, there is no room for Sakala in Grant’s squad. 

The Al Feiha forward accused the Israeli gaffer of a lot of things including biassed selection early this year. 

Grant came out to refute Sakala’s claims during a press conference saying the former ZANACO and Nchanga Rangers man was lying. 

Sakala has been in fine form since last season for his club. The showman ended last season with a personal best of 22 goals in all competitions.

Last weekend he opened his account for the season in Al Feiha’s 4-1 loss to Cristiano Ronaldo led Al Nassr.

Zambia will be away to Ivory Coast in Bouake on 6th September before hosting Sierra Leone in Ndola on 10th September.  

Match day 3 and 4 will be played between October 7-15 and will see Zambia face Chad in back to back games with N’djamena hosting the second match.

The November window will see the final two matches with Copper Bullets’ tie against the Elephants the one to look out for.

The final Group G fixture will be against the Leone Stars in Freetown.

The top two countries in each group will qualify for the 35th edition in Morocco.

The tournament will be held from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.