Junior Chipolopolo Ready For Burkina Faso Test After Arriving in Ouagadougou

Zambia’s Under-23 Men’s National Team has arrived safely in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, ahead of tonight’s first-leg second-round fixture in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U23 qualifiers.

The Junior Chipolopolo departed Lusaka aboard a Kenyan charter plane at 23:00 and touched down at Ouagadougou International Airport at 04:00 local time, corresponding to 06:00 in Zambia.

Upon arrival, the Chisi Mbewe-coached side received a police escort from the airport and was taken to Palm Beach Hotel, where the delegation is accommodated ahead of the encounter.

Despite experiencing a delay in departure, delegation leader Jordan Maliti has expressed confidence in the team’s preparations and determination to deliver a positive result for the country.

“Despite the delay in our departure, our hope at the end of it all is that the boys will be able to put a smile on the faces of Zambians. We thank the Government for providing us with the charter plane, which will help us fulfil the back-to-back fixtures without any challenges,” said Maliti.

Maliti, who also serves as FAZ Lusaka Province Chairperson, further thanked the Burkinabè Football Federation for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the Zambian delegation upon arrival.

The Junior Chipolopolo will face Burkina Faso at Stade du 4 Août in the first leg of the second-round qualifiers, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 local time, equivalent to 20:00 Zambian time.

Zambia will be hoping to secure a favourable result away from home before hosting Burkina Faso in the return fixture in Lusaka.