Zambia national team also known as Chipolopolo have left for Sudan, via Ethiopia for this Wednesday’s 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Sudan.

The T.P Mazembe trio of Nathan Sinkala, Kabaso Chongo and Skipper, Rainford Kalaba arrived in the country late afteenoon yesterday and are part of the contingent that has taken off from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

Stopilla Sunzu, Collins Mbesuma, Lubambo Musonda,Evans Kangwa and Kennedy Mweene have flown directly to Khartoum from their bases.

Russian based Chisamba Lungu has excused himself from this Wednesday’s assignment but says he will be available if called for the return match.

Lwandamina has named nine foreign based players for the first leg to be played on November 11 in the northern Sudanese town of Karima. The nine include Kennedy Mweene, Stoppila Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala and Rainford Kalaba who were part of the team that faced Sudan for a 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Al Hill Stadium in Khartoum in June 2012.

Teenage striker Conlyde Luchanga who last month made his senior national team debut has also been listed.

The winner of this tie over two legs will progress to the third round where 20 teams will be divided into five groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches.

The winners of each group will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns/RSA), Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco), Jacob Banda (Zesco United);

Defenders: Kabaso Chongo (TP Mazembe/DRC), Dauti Musekwa (Zesco United), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Aaron Katebe (Maghreb Atlantic/Morocco), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Buchizya Mfune (Green Buffaloes), Stoppila Sunzu (Lille/France).

Midfielders: Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe/DRC), Donashano Malama (Nkana), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe/DRC), Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Lubambo Musonda (Gandzasar Kapan/Armenia), Mwape Mwelwa (Zesco United), Paul Katema (Red Arrows); Spencer Sautu (Green Eagles )

Forwards: Winston Kalengo (Zesco United), Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces/RSA), Conlyde Luchanga (Lusaka Dynamos), Evans Kangwa (Hapoel Ranaana/Israel), Festus Mbewe (Red Arrows).

Additional reporting by FAZ.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com