ZAMBIA BOWS OUT OF CHAN

…without a win in four games, losing to Kenya in its last game

By BARNABAS ZULU

ZAMBIA’S disastrous 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign ended on Sunday afternoon with a 1–0 loss to Kenya at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi.
A 67th-minute strike from Kenyan forward Elvis Odhiambo proved decisive, sealing Chipolopolo’s fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament and confirming their worst-ever performance in CHAN history.
Chipolopolo entered the match already eliminated following losses to DR Congo, Angola, and Morocco, but sought to restore some pride. They started brightly, creating the better chances in the first half.
Striker Albert Kangwanda forced a smart save from Kenyan goalkeeper Patrick Matasi inside the opening 10 minutes, while Kelvin Mubanga saw his long-range effort narrowly miss the target.
Kenya, however, maintained discipline and nearly went ahead just before the break when Kenneth Muguna’s free-kick found Odhiambo, whose header drifted wide. The first half ended goalless, with Zambia guilty of failing to make their early dominance count.
After the restart, Zambia pushed forward but continued to struggle with precision in the final third. Cephas Mulombwa went close with a volley that skimmed past the upright in the 52nd minute.
Kenya broke the deadlock in the 67th minute after defender Benson Chali misjudged a clearance, allowing Odhiambo to pounce and finish calmly past goalkeeper Charles Kalumba.
Zambia nearly equalized in the 78th minute when Tandi Mwape rose to meet a corner, but his powerful header rattled the crossbar. Late attempts by Kangwanda and Mulombwa also went begging as Kenya held on for the win.
The result means Zambia exit the competition bottom of Group A with zero points, having scored just two goals while conceding eight.
It is their worst group-stage performance since the inception of the tournament.
Kenya, on the other hand, finished top of the group with 10 points, unbeaten in all four matches, and will advance to the quarterfinals with momentum on their side.