Zambia coach George Lwandamina has named a preliminary squad to take part in the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup that will be staged in Namibia from June 11-25.

Zambia are four-time winners of the competition and will be among the favourites again given their powerhouse status in the region.

They will play the winners the winner of Group A in their quarterfinal match on June 19, with Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Seychelles and Madagascar among their prospective opponents.

Lwandamina has so far selected an all-locally based squad that features some of the top young talent in the Zambian game.

Few have COSAFA Castle Cup experience behind them, and it will be fascinating test for the young side.

Among the young stars to watch is 19-year-old Power Dynamos defender Benson Sakala, and another teenager in Red Arrows midfielder Paul Katema and 17-year-old striker Patson Daka.

Of the 23 players named in the preliminary squad, more than half are under the age of 23.

That is not to say there aren’t some old heads – 36-year-old Green Buffaloes defender Buchizya Mfune, along with experienced goalkeepers Danny Munyao and Racha Kola.

Zambia squad

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga, Danny Munyao, Racha Kola             

Defenders: Buchizya Mfune, Stephen Kambamba, Adrian Chama, Webster Mulenga, Benson Sakala, Benedict Chepeshi, Boyd Mkandawire

Midfielders: John Chingandu, Steward Chikandiwa, Paul Katema, Jacob Ngulube, Salulani Phiri, Spencer Sautu, Donashano Malama, Charles Zulu, Clatous Chota Chama

Forwards: Patson Daka, Festus Mbewe, Emmanuel Banda, Conlyde Luchanga