Coach Avram Grant has decided not to include Saudi Arabia-based striker Fashion Sakala in Zambia’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. The 27-man squad, announced today by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications manager Sydney Mungala, will prepare for the back-to-back matches scheduled for September 6 and 9.
Zambia, which is in Group G of the qualifiers alongside Chad, will face these crucial games without Sakala, who had been anticipated to feature following the injury of main striker Patson Daka. The exclusion of Sakala is notable given that he recently scored his first goal of the season in the Saudi Pro League. This decision marks the third consecutive time Sakala has been overlooked for both competitive and friendly matches.
Earlier this year, Sakala publicly criticized Grant, alleging bias in squad selections. Grant denied these accusations, labeling Sakala’s claims as false. Since then, Sakala has been consistently omitted from the squad.
At a briefing this morning, Mungala announced the full squad, noting that the final list will be trimmed to 23 players before departure for Ivory Coast. The current squad includes:
Goalkeepers:
- Lawrence Mulenga
- Victor Chabu
- Toaster Nsabata
Defenders:
- Gift Mphande
- Killian Kanguluma
- Kabaso Chongo
- Tandi Mwape
- Dominic Chanda
- Stoppila Sunzu
- Zacharia Chilongoshi
Midfielders:
- Miguel Chaiwa
- Obinno Chisala
- Benson Sakala
- Lubambo Musonda
- Kelvin Kapumbu
- Kenneth Kasanga
- Kings Kangwa
- Clatous Chama
- Lameck Banda
- Kelvin Kampamba
Strikers:
- Kennedy Musonda
- Angel Lubamba
- Edward Chilufya
- Songa Chipyoka
- Kingston Mutandwa
Mungala also mentioned the injuries affecting Patson Daka and Frankie Musonda, which have influenced the squad selection.