Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina has lamented his side were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Burundi in their 2027 AFCON Group I qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Edward Chilufya fired the Chipolopolo ahead in the 64th minute before Jean Girumugisha equalised nine minutes from time.
With thirteen minutes remaining Lwandamina made triple substitution s with Gift Mphande, Wilson Chisala and Zephaniah Phiri coming on for Albert Kangwanda, Edward Chilufya and Prince Mumba.
“Injuries forced us into making rushed decisions and that is where we collapsed,” Lwandamina said
The result means Zambia move to four points after three matches, while Burundi take their tally to two points.
Algeria are also on four points, with Togo sitting on three.
Togo will host Algeria on Saturday in another important Group I encounter.
Zambia will now turn their attention to the return fixture against Burundi in Bujumbura on November 17, as the Chipolopolo look to get back to winning ways.
Group I remains finely poised.
FULL-TIME| Zambia 1-1 Burundi (Edward Chilufya 66′ | Jean Claude 82′)
