Zambia go local

Rostselmash's Gift Kampamba is the only foreign-based player

Zambia coach Patrick Phiri has named a strongly local-based squad for the Chipolopolo's African Nations Cup qualifier with Tanzania next month.

Only two Europe-based players have been named in the provisional 23-man squad.

Officials confirmed on Monday that midfielder Gift Kampamba, now at Russian club Rostselmash, and Milton Tembo from German fourth division SSV Ulm had been included.

However, coach Patrick Phiri has omitted the FC Cologne pair of Moses Sichone and Andrew Sinkala, as well as the Denmark-based duo of Mwape Miti and Andrew Tembo.

All four have played sparingly for Zambia over the last for years because of the financial difficulties of the football association, who have not always been able to afford to fly them home for matches, and because of club commitments.

The Group Three qualifier is in Dar-es-Salaam on 29 March.

Zambia are second in the group, behind leaders Benin on goal difference.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Steven Kabwe (Konkola Blades), Davies Phiri (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Sydney Tembo (Green Buffaloes)

Defenders: Charles Bwale (Nkana FC), Sashi Chalwe (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Laughter Chilembi (Nchana Rangers), Vincent Mangamu (Konkola Blades), Joseph Musonda (Nkana FC), Mwelwa Phiri (Power Dynamos), Elijah Tana (Petro Atletico, Angola)

Midfielders: Gift Kampamba (Rostelmesh, Russia), Misheck Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Clement Mulenga (Nkana FC), Numba Mumamba (Zanaco), Boston Mwanza (Nkana FC)

Strikers: Philemon Chipeta (Lusaka Dynamos), Edward Kangwa, Roston Kilambe (both Zanaco), Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos), Harry Milanzi (Nchanga Rangers), Chaswe Nsofwa (Zanaco), Zachariah Simukonda (Red Arrows), Milton Tembo (SSV Ulm, Germany)