PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to purchase a good number of tickets for supporters ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Group I qualifier between Zambia and Burundi.
Hichilema’s pledge follows an invitation from Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba, who invited the head of State, in his capacity as FAZ patron, to attend the match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The President assured the football fraternity of his continued support for the national team and FAZ.
He said his decision to buy tickets will not be limited to the Burundi fixture.
“We are going to buy tickets for the game in Ndola. A lot of tickets. It is part of supporting FAZ so that some profit margin from that ticket can go to FAZ. We take the challenge and we will not buy tickets for just one game. This patron will continue supporting by buying tickets,” Hichilema said.
Zambia host Burundi on November 13 and four days later, the return fixtures will be played in Bujumbura.
The Chipolopolo are second with three points, one behind leaders Algeria, who tackle Togo in back-to-back fixtures.
Third-placed Togo also have three points while Burundi have one.
And Chipolopolo captain Fashion Sakala is the first foreign-based player to arrive, NDINAWE SIMPELWE reports.
Interim coach George Lwandamina named 18 local and 12 foreign-based players for the back-to-back fixtures.
Sakala announced his arrival on his Facebook page.
“Thank God for a safe landing and I’m happy to be here (Zambia). Thank you so much for your support and see you in Ndola,” Sakala, who features for Saudi Arabia side Al Fayha, said.
Meanwhile, Chipolopolo team manager Charles Kalala said all the 18 local players are in camp at Mukuba Hotel in Ndola.
Kalala said foreign-based players are expected to start arriving today.
Others expected in camp include Mathews Banda of Bohemians Praha in Czech Republic, David Hamansenya on Slovan.
