Lungu, Liteta arrival completes Chipolopolo squad for Algeria clash

The final pieces of the Chipolopolo puzzle fell into place in Tizi-Ouzou as Orlando Pirates forward Gamphani Lungu and Cagliari youngster Joseph Liteta checked into the team camp, completing coach George Lwandamina's 27-member squad. The arrival of the duo brings an end to logistical arrivals ahead of Zambia's high-stakes Group I opening fixture in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against powerhouse Algeria on Friday. Liteta checked in late Monday night following transit from Europe, while Lungu landed in Algeria in the early hours of Tuesday morning, proceeding directly to the team hotel to join his teammates for morning breakfast and tactical briefings. Their seamless integration marks the conclusion of a staggered arrival schedule that saw foreign-based stalwarts, including European-based striker Patson Daka and midfielder Miguel Chaiwa, check into camp over the weekend. With all summoned players now present, the technical bench has a full house to fine-tune strategies at their Tirsathone Stadium base. Coach Lwandamina expressed satisfaction with the squad's physical condition and morale, noting that the competitive attitude displayed in training sessions bodes well for the daunting assignment. However, the technical bench has experienced slight adjustments; German-based assistant coach Andrew Sinkala was excused from the camp due to personal commitments. In a major boost to morale and experience, former national team goalkeeper and 2012 AFCON hero Kennedy Mweene has stepped into the technical setup as the goalkeeper coach, imparting vital tournament pedigree to the squad. Friday's clash at the Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed represents a stern test for Chipolopolo, who are looking to make a statement early in the qualifying campaign. Lwandamina has rallied his troops to discard historical apprehension regarding North African opposition, emphasizing that psychological readiness will complement technical execution on the pitch. Following the encounter i