Zambia hold first training in Spain as AFCON preps gather pace

Zambia national team held their first training session on Friday after settling into camp in Murcia, Spain as part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

According to a statement released by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), day two in Murcia saw the Copper Bullets put through their paces at the Pinatar Arena Sports Complex, a high-performance facility fit for elite international camps.

The Chipolopolo, who arrived on Thursday, kicked off the raining with a light recovery session aimed at shaking off travel fatigue and jet lag before they stepped up the intensity on the training pitch.

Zambia will kick off their campaign against Mali

Under the tutelage of head coach Moses Sichone, the Copper Bullets focused on various tactical and technical aspects of the game, fine-tuning key areas as they build towards AFCON.

Coach Sichone is still awaiting a full complement of players, with the window open until December 15 to reinforce the squad with foreign-based Zambian internationals.

Chipolopolo are in a week-long international camp in Spain before heading to Morocco, where they will launch their 19th appearance at Africa’s biggest football showpiece.

Zambia have have been pooled in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Comoros, and Mali. 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 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).