Zambia’s national team, Chipolopolo, have completed their final training session in Nairobi as they gear up for their opening fixture of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Under the guidance of head coach Avram Grant, the 25-man squad held a full training session at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, a military-owned facility known for its pristine pitches.
The Zambian team appeared in high spirits as they fine-tuned their preparations for a demanding Group A campaign that also includes Angola, Morocco, and tournament co-hosts Kenya.
Zambia will kick off their tournament on Thursday at the Nyayo Stadium, where they will take on a DR Congo side still reeling from a narrow 1-0 defeat in their opening match against Kenya.
The loss has placed added pressure on the Congolese team ahead of their clash with the Chipolopolo, who are looking to make a strong start to their campaign.
Morocco, another side in Group A, began their tournament on a positive note with a 2-0 win over Angola, setting an early marker in the group standings.
With four high-calibre teams vying for the top spots, every match in Group A is expected to carry significant weight.
Zambia’s training session drew the presence of senior officials from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), including President Keith Mweemba, his deputy Mutale Ng’andu, and technical director Lyson Zulu, all of whom observed the team’s final preparations.
Their attendance underlined the importance placed on this tournament and the expectations surrounding the squad.
After facing DR Congo on Thursday, Zambia will next meet Angola in what promises to be another challenging encounter, scheduled three days later.
The Chipolopolo will then take on Morocco in their third group match, before wrapping up the group stage on August 17 against Kenya.
Avram Grant and his staff are focused on navigating one of the competition’s toughest groups, with the objective of securing qualification to the knockout phase.
With the stakes rising and the margin for error shrinking, Zambia will be aiming to find rhythm early and build momentum as the tournament progresses.
The Chipolopolo’s blend of local talent and tactical experience will be put to the test from the first whistle on Thursday. With Group A already showing signs of fierce competition, Zambia’s campaign begins in earnest as they chase continental glory in CHAN 2024.
