Reviewed by Aaron Mubanga JnrZambia sports betting writer
Published 19 August 2026
Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has called up 28 home based players for an assessment camp ahead of Zambia’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins in September.
Zambia are in Group I alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi, and open away to Algeria. That is the hardest possible start, and it explains why Lwandamina is looking at the domestic league this early rather than waiting for the European based players to become available. A camp of this size is a filter, not a squad announcement.
The value of a home based call up in Zambia has always been about depth rather than headlines. The Super League produces players who are ready physically but who rarely get a competitive international before they are thrown into one, and a September trip to Algeria is not the place to find out. Whoever comes through this camp gives Lwandamina cover for the positions where Zambia has historically been thin when a European club refuses to release a player during a tight qualifying window.
The Football Association of Zambia has not published the camp dates or venue. What is settled is the number, the coach and the reason. AXN Sports will publish the final squad for the Algeria fixture once it is named.
Where to bet: AFCON qualifying markets for Zambia are live in kwacha at Betway and Premierbet, both licensed by the Gaming Regulatory Board, with match result, both teams to score, over and under and group qualification outrights. Deposits run through MTN, Airtel and Zamtel money. Qualifier outrights priced before a squad is confirmed carry more guesswork than usual, so there is a case for waiting until the travelling party is announced. Our guide to the best betting sites in Zambia covers licensing and withdrawal times, and there is more in Zambia soccer news from AXN Sports. 18+. Gamble responsibly.
