Lwandamina Speaks Ahead of Chipolopolo’s Algeria Clash

Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has challenged his players to prove themselves when Zambia face Algeria in Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Speaking during the team’s first training session at Tirsathone Stadium in the Azazga area of Tizi Ouzou, Lwandamina told his players that the match presents an opportunity to change the long-standing perception that North African teams are superior to Zambia.

“This game on Friday gives you a chance to change, to rewrite history and make the change, they are as human as we are,” Lwandamina told the players.

Chipolopolo arrived in Algeria on Sunday morning before making the approximately 100-kilometre journey to Tizi Ouzou, where the team has set up camp ahead of the Group I opener.

Most of the called-up players have since joined camp, with Patson Daka, Miguel Chaiwa, Joseph Liteta, Ricky Chanda, Mathews Banda and Kingston Mutandwa expected to arrive later Sunday. Gampani Lungu is scheduled to be the final player to join the squad.

Zambia will face Algeria on Friday, September 25, at the Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed in Tizi-Ouzou, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

The match will mark Zambia’s opening fixture in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, with the Chipolopolo then returning home to face Togo in Ndola on September 29.

Lwandamina will be hoping his players can translate his challenge into a strong start to the qualifying campaign.