LUSAKA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Head coach of the Zambia Under-23 national soccer team Benson Chambeshi on Tuesday called up 25 players for a training camp to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game against the Republic of Congo.
The team, comprising of local players only, is expected to enter camp on August 4 ahead of the game to be played on Sept. 4.
Team manager Hastings Ndovi said the team will have weekly camps until they play the game and that the coach will also be keeping an eye on foreign-based players before announcing his final squad.
Zambia will play the Republic of Congo on Sept. 4 at home before traveling to Pointe Noire for the return leg four days later.
The winner between Zambia and the Republic of Congo will join seven other African countries in November at the continental championship with the top three countries qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Lameck Siame (Kitwe United), Jackson Kakunta (Power Dynamos), Samson Banda (Zesco United)
Defenders: Kebson Kamanga (Zanaco), Solomon Sakala, Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United), Field Kandela, Wayne Museba (Kabwe Warriors), Paul Banda (Lusaka Dynamos), Moses Nyondo (Nkana), Benson Chali (Forest Rangers), Prosper Chilufya (Nkwazi)
Midfielders: Edward Tembo (Zesco United), Harrison Chisala (Nkana), Clinton Lubula (Kansanshi Dynamos), Biston Banda (Circuit City), Prince Muba (Kabwe Warriors), Ngosa Sunzu (Buildcon), Musonda Siame (Lumwana), Linos Makwaza (Power Dynamos)
Strikers: Twiza Chaibela (Kabwe Warriors), Leonard Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows), John Chisala (Kafue Celtic).
