Daka, Kangwa link up with Zambia in Spain for pre-AFCON preps

Zambia national team striker Patson Daka has arrived in Murcia, Spain, to join the squad currently in camp preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Daka was welcomed at the hotel by several members of the technical bench. The Leicester City forward became the latest foreign-based player to join the Chipolopolo Boys. Daka is one of the five arrivals that were expected on Sunday, with only Frankie Musonda yet to report to camp.

Daka will lead Zambia’s attack in Morocco alongside Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha forward Fashion Sakala.

Apart from Daka, Kings Kangwa and skipper Lubambo Musonda have also reported to camp in Murcia, Spain. Musonda who was welcomed to the hotel by Team Manager Charles Kalala, now brings the number of foreign-based players in camp to eight.

Zambia will play two friendly matches in Spain

Those already in camp are: Fashion Sakala, Stopilla Sunzu, David Hamansenya, Joseph Sabobo Banda, Kennedy Musonda, and Jack Kalichi Lahne.

Speaking to FAZ Media, Kangwa said this AFCON gives Chipolopolo a chance to do better than last time. He admitted that the team’s last outing in Ivory Coast was not what the players or the nation wanted.

The Chipolopolo Boys will on Tuesday, December 16, play the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a warm-up match ahead of AFCON in Morocco. Twenty-four hours later, Zambia will face Ivory Coast before departing for Morocco later the same day.

With only 24 hours between the two matches, Zambia coach Moses Sichone is likely to use two different teams to allow proper recovery before travel to Morocco to start their campaign.

The Chipolopolo will kick off their campaign against Mali on December 22 at Stade Mohammed V, before taking on Comoros at the same venue on December 26. Their final group fixture will be against Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on December 29.

Full Zambia squad for AFCON 2025;

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).

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