Zambia's AFCON Group Stage Fixtures
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| Zambia gear up for 19th AFCON appearance |
Zambia face Mali, Comoros, and Morocco in Group A of the 2025 AFCON, with matches set for December 22, 26, and 29.
The Chipolopolo, led by Patson Daka, prepare to face Mali, Comoros, and hosts Morocco in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations...
The Zambian team, pooled in Group A with hosts Morocco, Comoros, and Mali, is gearing up for the final phase of preparations in Murcia, Spain. Their training camp will run from December 11-17, 2025, as they fine-tune their skills for the big tournament.
Patson Daka, who had 19 EFL Championship appearances with Leicester City this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists, will lead Zambia's attack. He'll be joined by Fashion Sakala from Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha, and Austria-based striker Jack Kalichi Lahne, who scored on his Chipolopolo debut. Joseph Liteta of Cagliari in Italy is also part of the squad, adding to the team's attacking firepower.
Patson Daka, the Leicester City forward, will captain Zambia's national team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Coach Moses Sichone has announced the final 28-man squad, narrowing it down from an initial 55-man provisional list.
The squad features a mix of experienced players and new talent, including Fashion Sakala from Al Fayha in Saudi Arabia, and Joseph Liteta from Cagliari in Italy. Zambia will face tough opponents in Group A, including hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros.
The team will head to Murcia, Spain, for their final preparations from December 11-17, 2025, before heading to Morocco for the tournament.
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
Zambia will use their time in Spain to play high-profile friendly matches as part of their final preparations for the AFCON. With the new FIFA mandatory release date for foreign-based players being December 15, coach Moses Sichone will only have his full squad available after that date.
Zambia is gearing up for their 19th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the 35th edition of the tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Morocco. They secured their spot in the tournament by topping their qualification group, Group G, with 13 points.
Zambia's qualification is a notable achievement, marking the first time in nine years they've qualified for back-to-back AFCON tournaments. They'll be joining tough opponents in Group A, including hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros. African champions Ivory Coast also qualified from Group G, finishing second with 12 points.
Zambia's got a rich history in the AFCON, with six podium finishes from their previous 18 appearances. They were runners-up twice, in 1974 and 1994, and took home bronze medals in 1982, 1990, and 1994. Who can forget their championship win in 2012?
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| Patson Daka |
The Chipolopolo are ready to kick off their campaign against Mali on December 22nd at Stade Mohammed V, followed by a match against Comoros on December 26th at the same venue. Their final group fixture will be against hosts 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).
— FAZ (@FAZFootball) December 10, 2025
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