By SANDRA MWILA –
CHIPOLOPOLO coach George Lwandamina has left out veterans Christopher Katongo and Isaac Chansa from a 22-man squad he named yesterday for the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup slated for June in Namibia.
Katongo was skipper for the Zambia team at the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) and he, together with Chansa were Zambia’s only scorers at the continental tournament.
Katongo and Chansa were also part of the Zambia team that played the two 2017 Africa Cup qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville.
The 22 all locally players are expected to regroup in Ndola on April 24 to kick off preparations for the regional tournament.
There are no surprises in the team call-ups.
Team Manager Stanley Kaseko who released the list yesterday said the players will be preparing not only for the COSAFA but also for the critical Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea Bissau that is also scheduled for June.
The provisional team called has goalkeepers Jacob Banda (Zesco), Danny Munyao (Red Arrows), Racha Kola (Zanaco) with the defenders  being Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Dauti Musekwa (Zesco), Buchizya Mfune, Adrian Chama (Buffaloes) and Zanaco’s George Chilufya.
The midfielders Jack Chirwa (Buffaloes), Donashano Malama (Nkana), Benson Sakala (Power), Salulani Phiri, Charles Zulu (Zanaco), Paul Katema (Arrows), Spencer Sautu, Mwila Phiri (Eagles) and Clatus Chama (Zesco).
The strikers are Adamson Mulawo (Eagles), Festus Mbewe (Arrows), Patson Daka (Power), and Conlyde Luchanga from Lusaka Dynamos.