Zambia U17 National team coach Dennis Makinka has named a 44 member provisional squad to start preparations for the 2025 U17 World Cup. The players are expected to go into camp today in Lusaka in readiness for the World Cup next month. Atletico Lusaka forward Abel Salim Nyirongo and captain Jonathan Kalimina lead the squad summoned. Danish based Alinani Sichinga, Aston Villa academy player Kachinga Siame and Uchinvyo Mulindwa Kaziya have all received first call ups to the Young Chipolopolo squad. 2024 COSAFA winners Robert ‘Sugar Sugar’ Banda, Mapalo Simute, James Nene Sibeene, Nkotami Chimwemwe and Mike Mutale have all made the cut. The assemblage consisting of local and foreign- based players will be in camp today until the 20th of October before shifting base to Dubai. While in Dubai, the boys will be expected to play 3 friendlies before moving to Qatar on the 31st of October in time for kickoff of the first fixture in group H. Zambia is in group H with Brazil, Honduras and Indonesia and will have the first match with Indonesia on November 4 before taking on Honduras on November 7. Zambia’s final group stage match in this 48 -team tournament will be against Brazil on November 10 and all the three matches will be played in Doha. The 44 lads called to the team are: GOAL KEEPERS Rogers Simumba (Shamuel), William Zulu (Athletico Lusaka), Christo Chitambala (Red Arrows), Wiseman Nkumbu Nyirenda (Billy Pro Sports Club) DEFENDERS Levyson Banda (Superiad Ndola), Sianchongwe (Kalomo), Nelson Chilemu, Jonathan Moomba Kalimina (Kafue Celtics),Felix Phiri (Athletico Lusaka), Chola Mwansa (Young Crocs),Bright Phiri, Handson Chulu (Kuku Dynamos), James Nene Sibeene, Martin Tumbwe (Sporting Lusaka), Chimuka, Fredrick Ngululu (Russia),Mwape Andrew (Metro Stars Soccer Academy), Pablo Ndalama (Young Zesco) MIDFIELDERS Russell Kalumbeta, Temwani Simfukwe, Robert Banda (Athletico Lusaka), Nthasilwe Malupande, Caleb Bupe Chabala, Nelson Chilemu (Kafue Celtics), Christopher Mwakajila (Mungwi Hotspurs), Joseph Chizawu, Daniel Silubonde, Steven Lungu (Morkved Sportsklubb), Gabriel Phiri (NAPSA),Bongani Ndhlovu (Metro Stars Soccer Academy), Vincent Mutondo, Nkotami Chimwemwe (Lumwana Radiants),Mapalo Simute (Mkushi Rising Stars), Kelvin Mulenga Chipelu (Forest Rangers), Mike Bwalya Mutale (Makeni All Stars), Albert Kunda (Demofracy Ndola), Felix Phiri (Lusaka Youth) STRIKERS Kachinga Dickson Siame (Aston Villa),Uchinvyo Mulindwa Kaziya (New Brunswick High Performance Academy),Lucas Theodore Daka (Reading Football Club), Caleb Musonda, Nthasilwe Malupande (Kafue Celtics), Alinani Nicolas Sichinga (HIK Copenhagen – Denmark), Abel Salim Nyirongo, William Zulu, Russell Kalumbeta (Athletico Lusaka), Billy Daka (Nkwazi Football Club)
