Out-of-favour strikers Jacob Mulenga and Collins Mbesuma have been handed shock recalls to the Chipolopolo ahead of next weekend's Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

According to a list expected to be released by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and made available yesterday, stand-in trainer George 'Chicken' Lwandamina has axed Southampton 'flop' Emmanuel Mayuka from his team of foreign-based players summoned for the September 4 clash.

Jacob, who last played for the Chipolopolo during the 2015 AFCON qualifiers, is enjoying good form in his Shijiazhuang Yongchang side in China, scoring nine goals but it remains to be seen if the lanky striker will honour the call-up going by the treatment he has received.

Mbesuma is equally having a good season with Mpumalanga Black Aces in the South African Premier League but has been overlooked since the 2015 AFCON qualifier as he was not called for the finals in Equatorial Guinea as well as during the friendly matches.

The technical bench has returned faith in Russia-based midfielder Chisamba Lungu, who in June this year said he felt insulted to be left on the bench when he was a regular at his club.

Other notable foreign-based stars expected to be summoned are skipper Rainford Kalaba and his vice Nathan Sinkala, both of TP Mazembe, along with defender Stoppila Sunzu of FC Lille in France.

Others are goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene of Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Ronald 'Sate Sate' Kampamba of Wedi Degla in Egypt and Davies Nkausu of Bloemfontein Celtic (South Africa).

Meanwhile, Lwandamina said he was ready to lead the team against Kenya if an expatriate coach would not be employed by then.

Lwandamina told journalists at the Heroes National Stadium that he had been coach for a long time and was ready for the task ahead.