ZAMBIA kisses goodbye to FIFA CAF World Cup

Has the Chipolopolo loses 1-0 to Niger, ending with only nine points, marking one of their worst World Cup campaigns in years

By BENEDICT TEMBO

THE Chipolopolo signed off the 2026 FIFA CAF World Cup qualifier on anticlimax after losing to Niger at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium yesterday.
The Chipolopolo who had raised hope of a decent finish in Group E following their 1-0 triumph over Tanzania in Zanzibar last Wednesday, were on fire in the first half in which they dominated the visitors.
Coach Avram Grant set the tone for an all-out attack by fielding Edward Chilufya, Fashion Sakala, Patson Daka and Lameck Banda in the starting up.
The Chipolopolo went all out for goals from the first whistle but were wasteful in front of goal.
Zambia could have gone ahead as early as fourth minute but Kings Kangwa couldn’t yield anything from corner. Three minutes later, Zambia’s real chance falls to Fashion Sakala whose thumping effort went inches over the bar. In the 10 minute, it was Patson Daka turn as he tried his luck from outside the box but his shot goes wide.
The Chipolopolo continued patronising the visitor’s goal with Kelvin Kapumbu coming close with a header from a Gift Mphande throw in. Daka’s header in the 21st minute went wide from a well worked move from Sakala and Lubambo Musonda. Five minutes later, Lameck Banda came close but his shot went off target.
Kangwa couldn’t believe seeing his effort roll wide after being teed by Patson Daka in the 34th minute.
Kangwa was guilty yet again when he wasted a free kick for Zambia after Lameck Banda was brought down eight months to half time.
It was Niger’s time to test the Zambian goal mouth Oumarou Aliou striking from long range with Lawrence Mulenga parrying it away for a corner.
After surviving the first half onslaught, Niger found the back of the Chipolopolo net 10 minutes in the second half through 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐡.
The Chipolopolo tried all the tricks in the book but failed to breach the Nigerien goal.
After scoring, the Nigeriens raised their tempo and took the game to the Chipolopolo half.
Niger’s victory pushed them to 15 points while Zambia remain at nine points – marking one of their worst World Cup campaigns in years.