The Zambia National team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to finish the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a loss.
The Chipolopolo Boys went into the match knowing they could not qualify for the World Cup but they wanted to end on a positive note.
The hosts started strong and seven minutes in a real chance fell to Fashion Sakala whose thumping effort went just inches over the bar.
Three minutes later, Daka tried his luck from outside the box but his shot went just wide. Kelvin Kapumbu came close next with a header from a Gift Mphande throw in but again nothing.
Patson Daka had the best chance of the first but his header went wide from a well worked move by Fashion Sakala and Lubambo Musonda.
Lameck Banda came close but against effort went before Kings Kangwa saw his effort roll wide after being teed by Patson Daka.
Kings Kangwa had a chance to open the scores with a free kick from close range but his effort went wide.
A minute before the break, Oumarou Aliou struck from long range but Lawrence Mulenga dealt with it, parrying it away for a corner.
In the second stanza, The Ménas just needed ten minutes to take the lead as Anthony Sosah slotted home from close range with a rebound after Lawrence Mulenga failed to deal with a long range effort.
In the 66th minute Kings Kangwa came close but his tame effort was well dealt with.
Coach Avram Grant made a number of changes, throwing in Kennedy Musonda, Emmanuel Banda, Joseph Banda, Obino Chisala and Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba but it was a little too late as Niger held on to win the match.
The loss sees Zambia finish fourth with 9 points while Niger move up to 15th points and have a chance to join the four best second placed teams for a CAF play off tournament.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER| Full-Time
Zambia 0-1 Niger
(Anthony Sosah 55′)
