Zambia’s Chipolopolo will be back in action this evening when they host Togo in a crucial Group I match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The match comes just days after Zambia suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Algeria in their opening qualifier, leaving the Chipolopolo […]

Zambia’s Chipolopolo will be back in action this evening when they host Togo in a crucial Group I match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The match comes just days after Zambia suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Algeria in their opening qualifier, leaving the Chipolopolo without a point after Matchday One. Togo, meanwhile, started its campaign with a 1-0 victory over Burundi and comes into the Ndola encounter with three points.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 hours at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, with Zambia looking to use home advantage to get their qualification campaign back on track.

Zambia’s opening match against Algeria produced a difficult start, with the hosts taking an early lead before Fashion Sakala brought the Chipolopolo level in the second half. Algeria subsequently regained control and added another goal to secure a 3-1 victory.

Togo, on the other hand, secured maximum points against Burundi through Karim Dermane’s first-half goal. The Togolese side then successfully protected its advantage despite pressure from Burundi after the break.

The result means that Algeria and Togo entered Matchday Two with three points each, while Zambia and Burundi were still searching for their first points. The top two teams in Group I after the six-match qualifying campaign will secure places at AFCON 2027, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

For Zambia, tonight’s fixture therefore carries significant importance, particularly after the setback in Algeria.
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Interim coach George Lwandamina has insisted that the defeat to Algeria has not derailed Zambia’s campaign and believes his players are capable of responding in front of the home supporters.

Lwandamina said the team had an opportunity to redeem itself against Togo and stressed that every match in the qualification campaign would be important. He also rejected the idea that Zambia’s defensive problems against Algeria should be blamed solely on the back four, arguing that defending is a responsibility shared by the entire team.

Captain Fashion Sakala has also called on supporters to expect a different Zambia when the team takes on Togo.

Sakala said winning home matches would be important if Zambia is to qualify for the continental tournament and expressed confidence that the Chipolopolo would respond after the Algeria defeat.

The captain also acknowledged the criticism he has faced individually, saying his long career at international level has been built through hard work and commitment.

Tonight’s match will therefore be about more than simply collecting three points.

Zambia will be looking to restore confidence, respond to the Algeria defeat and give their home supporters something to celebrate, while Togo will be hoping to build on its winning start and strengthen its position in Group I.

The pressure will be particularly significant because another setback would leave Zambia with a difficult road ahead in the remaining qualifiers.

With the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium expected to provide strong home support, the Chipolopolo will have an opportunity to respond on the pitch.

For Zambia, the message is straightforward: the AFCON qualification campaign is still in its early stages, but tonight’s result could be an important one.
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