Twelve ex-Under-17 players have made the 25-member provisional Zambia Under-20 team for the 2017 COSAFA U20 Cup that Zambia will host next month.
Defending champions Zambia will host the COSAFA U20 Cup in Kitwe from December 6-16.
Coach Mumamba Numba promoted 16 players from the Zambia Under-17 team he guided to triumph at the 2017 COSAFA U17 Cup in Mauritius in July.
Four of those COSAFA U17 Cup winners have been dropped following the trials of 45 players held this week in Lusaka.
They include goalkeeper Emmanuel Mphasi, defender Christopher Katongo, midfielders Michael Kafusha and Jimmy Hamanzuka.
2018 FIFA U20 World Cup member and midfielder Ngosa Sunzu has made it for the last selection round hoping to make the final 23.
Sunzu is the only player from ex-Under-20 coach Beston Chambeshi’s team in successor Numba’s provisional side.
Chambeshi, who won the 2016 COSAFA U20 Cup and 2017 U20 AFCON title, has been elevated with his team to the Under-23 level.
The 2017 COSAFA U17 Cup survivors in the last round of the Under-20 selection are midfielders Clinton Lubula, Prince Mumba, Muma Mumba, John Mulalangabo, Niza Simutenda, and Mamelodi Sundowns target Lameck Banda of Nkwazi.
Striker’s Martin Njobvu and Christopher Phiri also made the cut.
Others are defenders Kingsley Hakwiya, Victor Kasokolo, Jonathan Kapelembe and Andrew Phiri.
Zambia have been drawn in Group A where they will play Swaziland, Uganda and Malawi.
The champions will kick off its title defence against guest side from the CECAFA Zone, Uganda, on December 6 at Nkana Stadium.
Nkana and Arthur Davies Stadium will be the host venues for the tournament where all the group games and semifinals will be played.
The final and 3rd and 4th playoff will be staged at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
GOALKEEPERS: Prince Bwalya (Green Buffaloes, Bradley Mweene (Lusaka Youth Academy), Benson Mwale (Zanaco)
DEFENDERS: Andrew Phiri (Kafue Celtic), Victor Kasokola (Konkola Blades), Justin Mwanza (Young Nkana), Kinglsey Hakwiya (Dream Factory Academy) Jonathan Kapelembe (Romeki), Hillary Mwinga (Red Arrows)
MIDFIELDERS: Clinton Lubula (Kabwata Dynamos), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Muma Mumba (Zamcoal Diggers), Niza Simutenda (Mpande Youth Academy), Chanda Mukuka (Gomes), John Mulalangabo (Kasama United Youth Academy), Ngosa Sunzu (Napsa Stars), Benson Kolala (Nchanga Rangers), Harry Milanzi (Young Green Buffaloes), Godfrey Chanda (Green Buffaloes)
STRIKERS: Martin Njobvu (Nchanga Rangers), Lameck Banda (Nkwazi), Francesco Mwepu (Chambishi), Gamphani Lungu (National Assembly), Christopher Phiri (Kafue Celtic), Paul Mwachisemu (Kafue Celtic)
