Zambia have dropped unfit striker Collins Mbesuma and veteran defender Elijah Tana from their final 23-man squad for the African Cup of Nations finals.
Mbesuma, who plays in Turkey and was formerly, played last week in a friendly against Tunisia but was deemed too out of shape for the tournament in Ghana, which starts next Sunday.
Tana was left out after failing to travel with the squad to their training camp in Spain last month. He had been in an original squad list issued on Friday but had now been dropped, the Football Association of Zambia said on Sunday.
The pair had been regular choices for Zambia in their qualifying campaign. Zambia must also do without the injured German-based pair of Andrew Sinkala and Moses Sichone.
Zambia play their opening Group C match against Sudan in Kumasi on January 22. – Reuters
Team:
Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (AmaZulu), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars), Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes)
Defenders: William Chinyama, Clive Hachilensa (both Zesco United), Hichani Himoonde (Lusaka Dynamos), Chintu Kampamba (Free State Stars), Francis Kasonde (Power Dynamos), Joseph Musonda, Billy Mwanza (both Lamontville Golden Arrows), Kennedy Nketani (Zanaco)
Midfielders: Ian Bakala (Primeiro Agosto), Isaac Chansa (Helsingborgs), Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United), Felix Katongo (Petro Atletico), Clifford Mulenga (Pretoria University), William Njovu (Lusaka Dynamos)
Strikers: James Chamanga (Moroka Swallows), Christopher Katongo (Brondby), Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors), Jacob Mulenga (Racing Strasbourg), Felix Nsunzu (Konkola Blades), Dube Phiri (Primeiro Agosto).