Zambia’s national football team has touched down in Abidjan ahead of a pivotal Group G clash with Ivory Coast in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Chipolopolo squad, led by head coach Avram Grant, is aiming to secure a positive result on Friday as they continue their campaign for a spot in the tournament, which will be held in Morocco.
The Zambian contingent, consisting of locally based players, departed early Monday morning aboard Ethiopian Airlines, with their final destination being the Ivorian capital.
Meanwhile, foreign-based players are set to join the squad directly in Ivory Coast, and the full team is expected to be in place by Tuesday.
The early arrival in Abidjan is part of Zambia’s preparation strategy as they acclimate to the conditions ahead of the important fixture against the Elephants in Bouaké.
Unfortunately, Zambia will be without midfielder Kelvin Kampamba for Friday’s match. Kampamba, who plays for Al Nasr Benghazi in Libya, was scheduled to join the squad in Lusaka before traveling to Ivory Coast.
However, he was forced to withdraw from the team following the passing of his mother in Kitwe, Zambia.
The loss is a personal tragedy for the player, and he will not participate in the upcoming matches.
Coach Grant’s side will face a challenging test against the Elephants of Ivory Coast, one of the strongest teams in African football.
The match will be held in Bouaké, a city renowned for its passionate football fanbase.
Zambia will be looking to secure a positive result before heading back home for their second Group G encounter, where they will host Sierra Leone in Ndola on September 10th.
With the team arriving in Ivory Coast in good spirits despite Kampamba’s absence, the Chipolopolo will be counting on their foreign-based stars, including the likes of Leicester City forward Patson Daka and Rangers striker Fashion Sakala, to lead the charge.
Zambia’s ambition is to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, after missing out on the previous tournament.
This fixture presents an opportunity for the Chipolopolo to assert themselves as contenders in a competitive group.
The Africa Cup of Nations remains a cherished tournament for Zambian football fans, with the team’s historic 2012 triumph still fresh in the memories of many supporters.
However, the path to Morocco 2025 is not an easy one, and the away game against Ivory Coast will be a stern test of their readiness.
As the Chipolopolo prepare for battle in Bouaké, eyes will be on Zambia to see if they can rise to the occasion and strengthen their bid for AFCON qualification.
With another tough fixture looming against Sierra Leone just days after the Ivory Coast match, the pressure is on Grant and his team to deliver and keep their Morocco 2025 hopes alive.
