Chipolopolo cocked

...face Burundi in AFCON qualifier at Levy

By BENEDICT TEMBO

ZAMBIA’S football credentials come under scrutiny at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola this afternoon when they face Burundi as qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations hit the halfway mark.

With only one victory from their opening two matches, the Chipolopolo, ranked 91st in the world, will be eager to collect three points and another three at Itwari Stadium in Bujumbura next week to sniff at qualification for the biennial rendezvous set for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

While victory is desired by coach George Lwandamina and prospects are high, it is noteworthy that the Chipolopolo are thin in attack as Germany-based striker Patson Daka and Lameck Banda based in Libya are unavailable.

Daka has been the team’s main striker for a decade now and his absence will be felt, especially if backup front man Kennedy Musonda fluffs his lines.

But Musonda has been in fine form for Zesco United together with Albert Kangwanda.

Victory is beyond a desire, it is a need.

This is so as the Chipolopolo started Group I on the back foot after losing 3-1 to Algeria in the opening Group I match away in Tiz Ouzou.

But the Chipolopolo revived their qualification hopes with a 2-0 victory over Togo in the second fixture in Ndola.

Victory for the Chipolopolo over Burundi in the two back-to-back fixtures could have a major impact on the outlook for the Group I qualifying contest.

Algeria and Togo, the other teams in Group I will be facing each other, with the Desert Foxes starting at home in Tizi Ouzou.

Lwandamina is wary of the threat posed by Burundi.

“Burundi are not underdogs. Now football is evolving, plenty of material everywhere. They have improved. But what I have asked from my players is the element of madness that will give us an edge,” Lwandamina said.

Burundi may be the rank outsiders in the group but are also dreaming of getting to their first ever African Nations Cup finals in history.

Ranked 140th globally in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, Burundi have a rich mix of players campaigning in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and elsewhere.

They may not have won a game so far but they have accounted for themselves very well.

Burundi gaffer Patrick Sangwa Mayani has highlighted the significance of the fixture against Zambia.

“This is an important game for us. It is a game we need to have a positive result so that we position ourselves well in the group. We know in football there are other realities but we are ready for the game,” Sangwa said.

Burundi lost their opening Group match against Togo in Lome but held highly rated Algeria to a 2-2 draw in their second match of the group in Bujumbura.

The top two finishers in the remaining groups will progress to the finals to be co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Ends.