The Zambian Chipolopolo National team are set to play the first home match of the AFCON Pamoja 2027 qualifiers on the 29 th of September at Levy Mwanawansa Stadium in Ndola,Copperbelt.
The tournament is comprised of 48 teams competing in 12 groups of teams each with the Chipolopolo team placed in group I alongside Algeria , Togo and Burundi .
Speaking in an interview with Lusaka Star, Sports Analyst Aaron Mubanga outlined the importance of starting the game on a positive level so as to give Zambia a chance to qualify to the tournament that would be hosted in Africa and improve on getting out of the group and see how they progress going forward.
“I think to the players they need to take the games very seriously and fight for the bud putting all for mother Zambia and try and get good results in both games so us to put their campaign on a good track,” Mubanga said.
Meanwhile , Another Sports Analyst Tony Nkoma called on Coach George Lwandamina and Osward Mutapa to go local for this Africa tournament as it is placed in a fair group I.
“I think it is high time we take advantage and invest in local players and coaches as this tournament should be a great test for our local players to come onboard and show character,” Nkoma said.
The tournament is the first AFCON return to East Africa since 1976 in Ethiopia and ever co-hosted by 3 countries namely Kenya from group D, Uganda going H and Tanzania group L after the three countries qualified.