Comoros, Zambia Unveil Squads For AFCON

Both Comoros and Zambia have revealed their final squads for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco.

Comoros, the smallest nation in the tournament, will be fielding a 26-man squad primarily composed of foreign-based players, largely drawn from the Comorian diaspora in France. Coach Stefano Cusin’s selection includes uncapped Amir Zaid and Kari Yannis, who both play in the French fourth tier. Seven players from their impressive 2021 AFCON campaign, where they reached the last 16, return, including 36-year-old striker El Fardou Ben Nabouhane. Comoros kick off their tournament against hosts Morocco on 21st December in Rabat, and will also face Mali and Zambia in Group A.

Zambia’s 28-man squad, announced by coach Moses Sichone, features four teenagers: 18-year-olds David Hamansenya and Eliya Mandanji, along with 19-year-olds Joseph Liteta (who plays for Cagliari in Serie A) and Joseph Sabobo Banda. Fourteen players from the last AFCON, where Zambia exited in the group stage, are retained. Zambia begin their campaign against Mali on 22nd December in Casablanca, before also playing Comoros and Morocco. The team has departed Lusaka for a training camp in Murcia, Spain, ahead of the tournament.