Orlando Pirates forward Gamphani Lungu has made his return to the Zambia national team after a two-year absence, earning a place in George Lwandamina’s 27-member squad for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Togo.
Lungu is one of the notable inclusions in a squad that combines experienced internationals with several new faces as interim coach Lwandamina prepares for Zambia’s Group I campaign. His return has been confirmed by multiple reports following the squad announcement on September 14.
The Chipolopolo will begin their campaign away to Algeria on September 25, before returning home to face Togo at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on September 29.
CHAMA MISSES OUT
One of the biggest talking points from the squad is the omission of Clatous Chota Chama, despite his strong early-season form with Tanzanian giants Simba SC.
Chama has reportedly scored five goals for Simba, including a brace in their CAF Champions League match on Sunday, but Lwandamina has opted not to include the midfielder.
Other notable absentees include captain Lubambo Musonda, who is injured, while Kings Kangwa is unavailable through suspension.
RICKY CHANDA EARNS FIRST SENIOR CALL-UP
Lwandamina has handed a first senior national-team call-up to Ricky Chanda, who plays for Nõmme United in Estonia.
The squad also includes Egypt-based duo Pascal Phiri and David Simukonda, while Red Arrows goalkeeper Luka Mainza has been selected among the four goalkeeping options.
Lwandamina has selected a blend of domestic and foreign-based players, with 14 players based abroad, 12 playing in Zambia and Chanka Zimba currently unattached, according to ZNBC.
DAKA, SAKALA AND BANDA LEAD ATTACKING OPTIONS
The squad includes several of Zambia’s established attacking names, with Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala and Lameck Banda among the players expected to provide attacking threat.
They are joined by Kingston Mutandwa, Albert Kangwanda, Eliya Mandanji and unattached forward Chanka Solomon Zimba.
Lameck Banda is listed with Swehly in Libya, while Sakala is with Al Fayha in Saudi Arabia and Daka is listed with Hamburg in Germany.
KANGWA SUSPENDED
Panathinaikos midfielder Kings Kangwa will miss both qualifiers as he continues to serve a CAF suspension.
Kangwa was handed a four-match ban following an incident involving match officials during Zambia’s final group-stage match against Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He has already served part of the suspension but remains unavailable for the Algeria and Togo fixtures.
ZAMBIA’S 27-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers
- Victor Chabu — Nchanga Rangers
- Lawrence Mulenga — Power Dynamos
- Luka Mainza — Red Arrows
- Willard Mwanza — Power Dynamos
Defenders
- Mathews Banda — Bohemians Praha
- Owen Mwamba — Red Arrows
- Obinno Chisala — Al-Merreikh
- David Hamasenya — Slovan Liberec
- Dominic Chanda — Power Dynamos
- Tinkler Sinkala — Zanaco
- Ricky Chanda — Nõmme United
- Fredrick Mwimanzi — Zanaco
Midfielders
- Owen Tembo — Power Dynamos
- Wilson Sosho Chisala — Power Dynamos
- Joseph Liteta — Cagliari
- Miguel Changa Chaiwa — Hibernian
- David Simukonda — El Gouna
- Given Kalusa — FC MUZA
- Pascal Phiri — Al-Ittihad Alexandria
- Gamphani Jones Lungu — Orlando Pirates
- Lameck Banda — Swehly
Forwards
- Fashion Sakala — Al Fayha
- Patson Daka — Hamburg
- Kingston Mutandwa — Servette
- Albert Kangwanda — Young Africans
- Eliya Mandanji — Red Arrows
- Chanka Solomon Zimba — Unattached
The published squad lists Lungu among the midfielders rather than the forwards.
ZAMBIA’S OPENING AFCON QUALIFIERS
Algeria vs Zambia
📅 September 25, 2026
📍 Algeria
Zambia vs Togo
📅 September 29, 2026
📍 Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola
Zambia are in Group I alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi in the race for qualification to the 2027 AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
