Sakala, Daka missing as coach Grant names Chipolopolo squad for AFCON qualifier (See list)

Chipolopolo coach, Avram Grant, has named a 27-man squad for the upcoming back-to-back AFCON Qualifier matches against Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone.

Saudi-based forward Fashion Sakala has once again been controversially omitted from the squad following his public fallout with Grant.

This marks the second exclusion of Sakala by the Israeli coach, who previously left the former Rangers player out of the World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania and Morocco in May.

Scotland-based defender, Frankie Musonda, and Leicester City striker Patson Daka are also notable absentees, both sidelined due to injuries sustained at their respective clubs.

Zambian champions Red Arrows have contributed two players to the squad, with Angel Lubamba and Ricky Banda making the cut. Additionally, Swiss-based wonderkid Joseph Sabobo Banda from FC Zurich had been called up by Grant.

Zambia would face Ivory Coast in Bouake on September 6, followed by a home match against Sierra Leone in Ndola on September, 10.

Full Squad List:

Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United)

Defenders:
Tandi Mwape (Zesco United), Kabaso Chongo (Kabwe Warriors), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Stopilla Sunzu (Cangzhou Lions, China), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon LeZion, Israel), Zachariah Chilongoshi (Napsa Stars), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos)

Midfielders:
Benson Sakala (FK Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (Young Boys, Switzerland), Obino Chisala (Costa do Sol, Mozambique), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg FC, Germany), Kelvin Kapumbu (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Kelvin Kampamba (Al Nasr Benghazi, Libya), Kenneth Kasanga (Nkwazi), Songa Chipyoka (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel), Clatous Chota Chama (Young Africans, Tanzania), Lameck Banda (US Lecce, Italy)

Forwards:
Kingston Mutandwa (Cagliari, Italy), Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland, Denmark), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans, Tanzania), Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Angel Lubamba, Ricky Banda (Both Red Arrows)

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