George Lwandamina insists Togo will not have it easy when Zambia host the Hawks in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ndola on Tuesday.
The interim Chipolopolo coach was speaking after Zambia began their Group I campaign with a 3-1 defeat by Algeria in Tizi Ouzou on Friday, a result that leaves his side needing a response on home soil.
“Definitely, we need to win our home games if we are to qualify. Togo won’t have it easy,” Lwandamina said.
Zambia were punished for a difficult start against Algeria when Jaouen Hadjam put the hosts ahead after just two minutes, finishing at the near post after being set up by Mohamed Amoura.
The Chipolopolo improved after the break and levelled in the 57th minute through captain Fashion Sakala. David Simukonda supplied the assist before Sakala produced an impressive individual run inside the box, beating defenders before finding the net.
The comeback was short-lived, however.
Ibrahim Maza restored Algeria’s lead in the 67th minute, with Amoura again providing the assist, before substitute Anis Hadj Moussa completed the scoring seven minutes later following a clever piece of build-up involving Maza.
Algeria held on for a 3-1 victory, leaving Lwandamina to reflect on a match in which he felt Zambia were punished for mistakes and disrupted by injuries.
“It was a tough match and the boys played well. Away from home, it wasn’t easy for them, but they fought to the bitter end,” he said.
“Few mistakes, of course, and we were punished. Injuries also affected us. We had to make changes which we wouldn’t have made, and that cost us the game.”
‘We can actually change the tables’
Despite the defeat, Lwandamina remains confident that Zambia can recover from the setback, pointing to the youth within his squad and the potential for improvement as the team gains experience.
“This is a young team and they are coping very well. We can actually change the tables,” he said.
“The boys are fighting very hard.
“With a little bit of experience we will blend them together.”
Lwandamina also acknowledged Algeria’s quality and the depth available to the North Africans, who were playing their first competitive match under interim coach Brahim Hemdani.
“Algeria enjoyed their game. They played well,” he said.
“Algeria has a new team, mind you, Algeria is one of the big countries in the world, so the population is very big and you have more options of players out there. You can even make 10 teams here in Algeria.”
Togo arrive with winning start
Zambia’s next opponents also began their campaign with a victory.
Togo defeated Burundi 1-0 in Lomé on Friday, with Karim Dermane scoring the only goal in the 17th minute to give the Hawks three points. The result puts Togo level with Algeria on three points, with goal difference separating the two sides at the top of Group I.
Zambia therefore face another side that has already opened its campaign with a victory.
But Lwandamina believes home advantage and a determined young squad can help the Chipolopolo respond.
The match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium will be Zambia’s first home fixture of the qualifying campaign, with the Chipolopolo aiming to avoid falling further behind the early pace-setters.
For Lwandamina, the message is clear: Zambia must turn their home fixtures into points if they are to remain in contention for a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
And after a bruising night in Tizi Ouzou, he believes Togo should expect a different challenge in Ndola.
