The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has hailed the massive turnout at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after 44,000 fans turned up to support the Chipolopolo in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Burundi.
FAZ president Keith Mweemba also expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema for purchasing tickets for supporters, allowing fans to attend the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group I qualifier in Ndola.
Mweemba said the overwhelming support was a gesture the association did not take for granted and called for such backing to become a regular feature of the national team’s home matches.
“As FAZ, we wish to salute the thousands of fans that filled up Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to support our lads. We do not take the support for granted and hopefully we can make it the norm,” he said.
Although Zambia failed to secure maximum points, Mweemba expressed confidence that the team would respond positively in Tuesday’s return fixture in Bujumbura.
“The result may not have gone as planned, but we are confident our lads will repay the faith shown by the fans in the away fixture on Tuesday,” he added.
The FAZ president also applauded the Head of State and the government for their continued support of the national team.
“We cannot thank our patron enough for his parental gesture to open the gates for all the fans as a show of support to FAZ and the Chipolopolo,” Mweemba said.
Zambia will travel to Burundi for Tuesday’s return fixture looking to bounce back after Friday’s draw, with the result leaving both sides sharing the points in Group I.
The Chipolopolo will be hoping to collect maximum points in Bujumbura as the race for qualification to the 2027 AFCON finals in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania continues.
