Zambia legend Charles Musonda says Chipolopolo paid heavily for Kings Kangwa’s absence in the 3-1 defeat to Algeria in the opening 2027 AFCON qualifier.

Kangwa, now with Greek giants Panathinaikos, missed Friday’s clash at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium after being slapped with a CAF suspension for accumulating two yellow cards in Zambia’s final group game at the last AFCON in Morocco.

Zambia launched Group I with a loss, conceding twice after Fashion Sakala’s 57th minute equaliser had cancelled Jaouen Hadjam’s second-minute opener.

For ex-midfield dynamo Musonda, the aggressive line-up fielded by coach George Lwandamina – four players capable of scoring – lacked balance without Kangwa’s influence.

“For the first time in a long time, I saw a team with four players capable of scoring. We definitely missed the boy from Greece in midfield,” Musonda said.

Musonda also offered a blunt translation of Lwandamina’s post-match comment that Algeria “can make 10 teams” because of their population.

“When Chicken George says ‘population’ he means talent. Today, I am seeing Zambian players performing. That is how a national team should be selected on merit. Club level performance matters,” he said.

The former Anderlecht and Mighty Mufulira Wanderers icon weighed in on the goalkeeping debate after Willard Mwanza shipped three in Tizi Ouzou.

“Decide who your No. 1 goalkeeper is and trust him. Even the best make mistakes. Confidence matters. Mweene knows better. You can’t question him,” he said, backing trainer Kennedy Mweene.

Musonda praised captain Sakala for earning his place with a brilliant goal and constant threat, but demanded more defensive discipline.

“Nobody is bigger than the team. If you want your place, earn it through performances. Sakala did exactly that, brilliant goal and always looked dangerous but should help to make the defensive block even ‘K’ right side must do it,” he said.

He insisted Zambia has enough firepower to recover, listing Patson Daka “Cagliari boy”, Edward Chilufya “Sobolo”, Lameck Banda and the Tanzania-based contingent, but warned against individualism.

“We have options.. Daka, Sobolo, Lameck Banda and the Tanzanian boy. The talent is there. But they should not be selfish in front of goal. It’s the team that scores not an individual.”

Musonda, 1988 African Footballer of the Year runner-up, said he watched Togo’s 1-0 win over Burundi in Lomé, which left Zambia bottom of Group I, but believes Algeria-Zambia was the more competitive tie.

“I watched Togo-Burundi. Algeria-Zambia was more competitive but don’t take any team lightly. Football isn’t played on paper.. it’s played on the pitch. 90 plus minutes.”

With Chipolopolo now needing to beat Togo on September 29 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to keep their qualification hopes alive, Musonda called for unity.

“Now let’s stop talking and support the team in Ndola. We are a footballing nation from way back when our population was even less but had talent,” he said.

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