By 
Fashion Sakala has made a dramatic return to the Chipolopolo fold after being frozen out for 19 months by coach Avram Grant.
The Saudi Arabia–based forward has been included in the 31-man provisional squad unveiled for the September 8, 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Grant revealed that Sakala had reached out to him a few weeks ago to apologise for their much-publicised fallout over the national team selection process.
“Fashion did something that was wrong, something he shouldn’t have done, but he called a few weeks ago and apologised. I felt that his apology was honest. He said he did something he shouldn’t have as he spoke against people, including the players,” Grant said.
The Chipolopolo boss added that he harbours no grudges, stressing that his concern is only for the team’s success.
“He is a young man who made a big mistake. He was out of the squad because of this. He apologised and I accepted,” he said.
Notably missing from the squad are veteran defender Stophira Sunzu and Tandi Mwape, both sidelined through injury. Grant has called up 19 foreign-based players and 12 from the local league, many of whom featured in the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in Kenya, where Zambia underperformed.
The coach explained that the squad would be trimmed to 24 once he has assessed the players in camp, as most are just returning from the off-season.
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The provisional squad features goalkeepers Toaster Nsabata of Sekhukhune, Lawrence Mulenga of Power Dynamos, Charles Kalumba of Red Arrows and ZESCO United’s Mwenya Chibwe. Defenders include Scotland-based Frankie Musonda, Kabaso Chongo, Benedict Chepeshi and Gift Mphande of Zesco United, Dominic Chanda of Power Dynamos, Sudan-based Obinno Chisala, Spain’s David Hamansenya and Nkana’s Mathews Banda.
In midfield, Grant has called up Lubambo Musonda of Magdeburg in Germany, Benson Sakala of Bohemians 1905 in the Czech Republic, Scotland-based Miguel Chaiwa, Italy-based Joseph Liteta, Kings Kangwa and Joseph Sabobo Banda of Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Golden Mafwenta of MFK Vyskov, Zesco United duo Kelvin Kampamba and Abraham Siankombo, Emmanuel Banda of Maccabi Bnei, Spain’s Gift Siame, Saddam Phiri of Red Arrows, Italy-based Lameck Banda, and Israel’s Songa Chipyoka.
The forwards list includes Kingstone Mutandwa of Austria’s SV Ried, Edward Chilufya of Denmark’s Midtylland, Leicester City striker Patson Daka, Kennedy Musonda of Hapoel Ramat Gan, and the returning Fashion Sakala of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Fayha FC.
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