Zambia, Zim name strong squads for Botswana tourney
Mqondisi Dube | Monday March 16, 2026 06:00
The Four Nations tournament, dubbed 'Kings of the South', takes place at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium from March 28 to 31, which is the first FIFA date of the year.
Botswana will host Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and the three nations have wasted no time in naming strong squads for the tournament.
In particular, Zambia and Zimbabwe this week named squads that include players based overseas. Malawi released a provisional list of locally based players, with expected additions before departure to Botswana.
The showdown for regional supremacy has seen the Flames coach, Kalisto Pasuwa, take the team through its paces, as rivals appear to be ahead of Zebras in preparations.
Pasuwa told the media in Malawi this week that he had put the team through rigorous training.
'The training has been going very well,' he said. 'We received most of the players on the first day and conducted physical tests to assess their conditioning because the boys were coming from the off-season.'
Pasuwa stated Malawi will use the tournament to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Malawi will be without its talisman, former Orlando Pirates attacker Gabadinho Mhango, who is out with an injury.
Neighbours, Zambia, will bring a strong squad that includes 15 foreign-based players, which is a clear statement of intent. Chipolopolo interim coach, George Lwandamina, this week unveiled a 38-member provisional squad for the Botswana tournament.
Leicester City forward, Patson Banda and Lameck Banda of Lecce in Italy are part of the squad and so is Chanka Zimba, who is based in Scotland.
With the strong squad, Zambia will start as favourites for the title, although there could be strong competition from Zimbabwe and the hosts, Botswana.
Zimbabwe's coach, Marian Marinica, has named internationals in a star-studded line-up.
Former Kaizer Chiefs forward, Knowledge Musona and Aston Villa midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba, are part of the foreign-based contingent, whilst there has been no place for in-form Paris FC midfielder, Marshal Munetsi.
Zebras coach, Morena Ramoreboli, had not named his squad at press time, whilst the BFA had not responded to MmegiSport inquiries on the national team's preparations.