Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone named his final 28-man squad for the AFCON after trimming the initial 55-man provisional list to 28 players.
The team, who have been pooled in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Comoros, and Mali, will now move to Murcia, Spain, for the final phase of preparations. The Spain camp will run from December 11-17, 2025.
Daka, who this season has managed 19 EFL Championship appearances with the Foxes, scoring one goal and providing two assists, will lead Zambia’s attack alongside Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha forward Fashion Sakala.
Austria-based striker Jack Kalichi Lahne, who scored on his Chipolopolo debut during the last FIFA window, has been named in the squad while Joseph Liteta of Cagliari in Italy is also included.
Fresh call-ups from the MTN Super League include Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco), Matthews Banda, Given Kalusa (FC Muza), Matthews Banda (Nkana) and Pascal Phiri (Zesco United).
Other notable newbies are goalkeeper Willard Mwanza and Owen Tembo (both of Power Dynamos) and David Simukonda (Zanaco). Two standout performers from the FIFA U17 World Cup, Jonathan Kalimina and Abel Nyirongo, have been retained as standby players.
Zambia to play friendly matches in Spain
While in Spain, Zambia are expected to play high-profile friendly matches. Because the new FIFA mandatory release date for foreign-based players is December 15, Sichone will only have a full squad after that date.
The Chipolopolo will be making their 19th appearance at the 35th edition of the tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the North African nation. They qualified for the AFCON after topping their qualification group.
Zambia finished top of Group G with 13 points, qualifying alongside African champions Ivory Coast, who came second with 12 points. Zambia’s qualification marked the first time in nine years they had achieved back-to-back AFCON qualification.
Zambia have had six podium finishes from their previous 18 appearances. Runners up twice in 1974 and 1994, three-time bronze medallists in 1982, 1990 and 1994 and champions in 2012.
The Chipolopolo will kick off their campaign against Mali on December 22nd at Stade Mohammed V, before taking on Comoros at the same venue on December 26th. Their final group fixture will be against Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on December 29th.
Full 28-man Zambia squad;
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos).
Defenders: Stopilla Sunzu (Changchun, China), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United), Matthews Banda (Nkana), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Obino Chisala (Al-Merrikh SC, Sudan), David Hamasenya (Leganes, Spain), Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Rep).
Midfielders: Miguel Changa Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy), Kings Kangwa (Maccabi Be’er Sheva, Israel), Given Kalusa (FC MUZA), David Simukonda (Zesco United), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Joseph Sabobo Banda (Maccabi Be’er Sheva, Israel), Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Lubambo Sailas Musonda (Magdeburg, Germany), Pascal Phiri (Zesco United).
Strikers: Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau, Austria), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel), Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco).
