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🇿🇲 AFCON 2025: CHIPOLONGOLO’S EARLY EXIT AND WHAT WE MUST FIX AS A FOOTBALL NATION

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Zambia’s failure to qualify for the knockout stages at AFCON 2025 hurts — not just because of the results, but because we all saw it coming. Two draws and a painful 3–0 loss to Morocco summed up a campaign where effort was there, but planning and structure were not.

Yes, the boys tried. Yes, there were moments of fight. But at AFCON level, trying is not enough most of the times.

NOT BAD, BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH

The two draws gave hope, but Zambia never truly looked like a team in control of its destiny. We knew the easier route was to get a win on on those draws.
Against Morocco, the gap in quality, organisation and match intelligence was clear for everyone to see. We were chasing the game, chasing shadows, and reacting instead of imposing ourselves.

AFCON punishes teams that arrive half-prepared — and unfortunately, that’s exactly where Zambia found itself.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM?

Let’s be honest as Zambians — the preparation was not good enough.

The team went into AFCON without enough proper international friendly matches. There was no settled system, no clear best eleven, and no strong understanding between players.
We started the tournament with a team that had not yet been tried before. Some players looked rusty, others unsure of their roles. AFCON is not a tournament where you “find your feet” — by the time you do, you’re already on your way home. Here we are.
At a major tournament, players need confidence and trust. Constant changes disturb chemistry, especially in midfield and defence where partnerships are key.

Rotation is fine, but what we saw looked more like uncertainty than tactical planning. You cannot build rhythm when every game feels like a new experiment.

TACTICAL ISSUES WE CAN’T IGNORE ?

Zambia struggled in quite similar areas....

—Keeping shape when under pressure

—Controlling games from midfield, poor transition from the defence.

—Creating clear chances from open play

Things is these are not new problems. We’ve seen them before and that’s why this exit hurts quite even more.

THE WAY FORWARD? MAYBE START FROM HOME ?

If we have to stop these embarrassing exits, we must fix football from the ground up. Club football has to improve. Our clubs are always second in comparisons with almost every team they meet in later stages of CAF games.

THE ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF SPORTS ?

I think this is where the government have to be more intentional about infrastructure.
We cannot talk about progress while players train on poor pitches.
Watch the special assistant to the President, Jito Kaumba organise a tournament in Kalingalinga and observe the pitch being used, horrible!!
And this is common all over the country. Most of our stadia are substandard, and you expect such players to one day play for the National team. Poor foundation.
You cannot produce AFCON-level players on dusty or uneven pitches. Simple.

This AFCON exit should not just make us angry — it should make us serious.

Serious about preparation.
Serious about grassroots.
Serious about infrastructure.
Serious about club football.

If we fix football at home, the results will come on the continent. If we keep ignoring the basics, we will keep repeating the same story.

The ball is in our court now. 🇿🇲⚽

Which players stood out for you during this AFCON?

David Hamansenya

What do you think of his performance?

DONE AND DUSTED!

Zambia bow out of the competition after a heavy defeat 🇿🇲

Your take....

COMPLETE CHANGE!

5 at the back.
Seems like Coach Sichone is going all defence.

CHIPOLOPOLO lineup is out

Your thoughts....

MATCHDAY!

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One thing about the Chipolopolo Boys is that they tend to perform well when you rule them out.

Not all hope is lost.

ZAMBIA 🇿🇲 V 🇲🇦MOROCCO

ZAMBIA HOPES OF QUALIFYING! 🇿🇲

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As long as Comoros doesn't beat Mali, Zambia stands a better chance of qualifying to the round of 16 even after losing against Morocco.

But if Comoros beats Mali, and Zambia loses against Morocco, goal difference would come in play to determine who texts the 3rd place in group A.

As of now, going into the last group stage matches, Zambia is qualifying.

Here is what's happening...

The 2 teams posing a threat to that is Angola and Tanzania, both at 3rd place in their respective groups at 1 point.

Where is the confidence of saying Zambia can qualify even after losing against Morocco?

Angola is facing the Pharaohs of Egypt who looking at making a statement here by finishing this group as leaders!
On 4th place in this group is Zimbabwe, facing South Africa. SA is also looking forward to getting that second 1 after a frustrating loss against Egypt. Tough one!
SA and Egypt might win these games [ Opinion]
Which would be good for Zambia. We'll find this out soon because their games are at 18:00 CAT

Tanzania is facing Tunisia. Tunisia are playing quite well and are looking forward to getting that second win as well. Tanzania is playing quite well too, but Tunisia is likely to get it. [ Opinion]
Good for Zambia.

As for Zambia, the best might be , going for a positive result, at least a draw. It's possible! This is AFCON!!

Otherwise, let's wait and see.

FIRST SCORELESS DRAW!

No single AFCON win since 2012 🚫
Zambia fail to beat Comoros once again.❌

Which players stood out for you?
Last game against Morocco.
What's the way forward ?

Your thoughts...

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MAKE YOUR FINAL PREDICTIONS 🏁

Match starting at 19:30 CAT

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IT'S MATCHDAY!

ZAMBIA 🇿🇲 v 🇰🇲 COMOROS

Quick facts ⏏️

1️⃣ History favours Zambia. Form asks questions.
2️⃣ Big names don't seem to scare Comoros. Ask Ghana.
3️⃣ Comoros has beaten Zambia in the recent 2 meetings ( at COSAFA)
4️⃣ The last time Zambia beat Comoros was in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, coming from behind with Enock Mwepu scoring the equaliser before Kings Kangwa finished the comeback with his famous freekick at Levy Mwanawasa stadium.

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PRE-MATCH FEEL | ZAMBIA 🇿🇲 vs COMOROS 🇰🇲

This is one of those AFCON games where Zambia must decide who they want to be.
The draw against Mali showed heart, especially with the late goal, but it also reminded everyone that Chipolopolo are still chasing their first AFCON win in a long time. 11 matches without victory at the finals is not something this country is comfortable with — not with the history, not with the talent in this squad.

Zambia and Comoros, COSAFA member nations, meet at AFCON for the first time, with both sides desperate for their first win in group A.
Comoros are not pushovers. They’ve beaten Zambia in the last 2 meetings, both 1–0, and they will arrive believing they can do it again. Against Morocco, they defended deep, stayed organized in the first half and relied heavily on their goalkeeper, who even saved a penalty. They may not see much of the ball, but they are disciplined and dangerous when given space.

For Zambia, the challenge is clear. Score first, control the game, and stay switched on. The team has struggled to break Comoros down in recent matches, and patience will be key. The midfield must take responsibility, move the ball quicker and create chances for the forwards, while the defence cannot afford lapses at all.

This is also a mental test. Zambia have often started AFCON tournaments with draws, but the second group game has rarely gone their way. They have failed to win their second group game in their last 11 AFCON apps. That’s the hurdle in front of them now.

The draw against Mali was Zambia’s 70th match at AFCON and their 20th draw. Conceded in each of their last AFCON matches
Win this, and belief changes. Lose or draw, and the pressure only grows. Morocco is a higher mountain to climb.
Friday night in Casablanca. Everything on the line. This is where Chipolopolo must stand up and be counted.
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