Zambia national team coach Beston Chambeshi has abandoned plans to include foreign-based players in his final squad for the 2018 COSAFA Cup.

Initially, Chambeshi had considered only Fashion Sakala who plays in Russia and Polokwane City midfielder Salulani Phiri.

According to COSAFA.com, the coach said he has decided to leave the duo out due to their early 2018/2019 pre-season schedules.

“We are calling anyone other than the foreign-based players. We are going to the tournament with the local players that we have,” he said.

Meanwhile, the final 20-member team will be announced tomorrow.

Zambia will kick off their 2018 COSAFA Cup campaign on June 2 when they face Namibia in the quarterfinals at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.