Qatar World Cup: No room for Mweene and Fashion as Mwepu and Daka make the cut

Zambia national team head coach Beston Chambeshi has finally named his final 22 member squad for next month’s back-to-back Qatar World Cup qualifiers against Mauritania and Tunisia.

Chambeshi has included England based duo of Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka who are expected to link up with their teammates tomorrow. The duo available has been uncertain in the last few days after the Premier League released a statement that clubs will not release players for international games in red-list countries five days ago.

Denmark-based Lubambo Musonda has also made the cut as confirmed by the ZamFoot Crew and will join his teammates later today.

Sweden-based forward Edward Chilufya makes a return to the Chipolopolo Boys set up for the first time since October 2020 during the friendly match against Kenya.

Evans Kangwa and Augustine Mulenga are out of the two matches due to injuries.

South Africa-based goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe has also made the cut but there is no space for Kennedy Mweene, Emmanuel Banda, Klings Kangwa, and Lameck Banda.

Fashion Sakala who just returned to fitness has also been left out of the squad.

Zambia will be away to Mauritania on September 3 before hosting Tunisia four days later in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Group B matches.

The Chipolopolo are in the same group as Tunisia, Mauritania, and Equatorial Guinea.

Only 10 group winners will qualify to the final round where teams will be paired in two-legged knockout ties.

The five winners will qualify for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

FINAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Mwenya Chibwe (Baroka FC-RSA), Gregory Sanjase (Young Green Eagles), Lameck Siame (Zanaco)

(DEFENDERS)

Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (Red Arrows), Simon Silwimba, Solomon Sakala (both Zesco United), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe-DRC), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Enock Mwepu (Brighton & Hove Albion-England), Clatous Chama (RS Berkane-Morocco), Dickson Chapa, Kelvin Mubanga (both Zesco United), Spencer Sautu (Power Dynamos) Benson Sakala (Unattached), Lubambo Musonda (AC Horsens-Denmark), Roderick Kabwe (Unattached), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Boyd Musonda (Zanaco)

(STRIKERS)

Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Edward Chilufya (Djurgardens IF-Sweden)