Chipolopolo midfielder Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba fondly referred to as Kemuka has admitted that the Chipolopolo’s recent results have been negative for the fans and the nation at large.
The Chipolopolo Boys are winless in the last eight games in all competitions, and last won a match on November 19th, 2024, 2-0 over Sierra Leone with goals from Emmanuel Banda and Kennedy Musonda.
Kampamba says the team is however working on rectifying that starting with the two back to back 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania and Niger.
The ZESCO United midfield ace feels the team just needs to work on its finishing and team work as they face Tanzania who he believes won’t be a push over since they will be at home.
“We need to have a fighting spirit because the recent results have been negative to the fans and the nation at large but we are working on giving the fans a positive result in Tanzania. They won’t be a push over because we are playing away from home but I think the team is now coming together with the return of these guys who were not available in the last qualifiers. We just need to work on scoring and team work because in the next two months we have to represent our nation at AFCON, we need to do better than we did in the last Africa Cup in Cameroon, maybe target reaching the semifinals and also do better and who knows maybe we can even reach the final,” he said.
Kampamba believes the preparations have gone on as planned and the team now just needs to finish on high as it’s a start for 2025 AFCON preparations.
Kampamba was also quick to advise youngsters who have been summoned to the Chipolopolo set up to work hard and stay disciplined.
“The preparations have been going as planned. We just have to finish on high in these World Cup qualifiers. It’s a preparation for us to prepare for the 2025 AFCON which will be held later this year in Morocco,” he said.
“The most important thing for the youngsters is to push more, it’s not an easy assignment to represent the nation. They need to be consistent and replicate the form they are showing at their clubs. They also need to work on discipline because it’s the key to success,” he added.
Zambia will face Tanzania away in Zanzibar on Wednesday, October, 8th before hosting Niger on Sunday, October 12th.
Kampamba has asked the fans to show up in numbers on Sunday when the Chipolopolo host Niger at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
“The fans will be very vital for us to finish on high against Niger. They just need to turn up in numbers like they did against Morocco although we did not give them the desired results but this time around we are assuring them that we will finish on a high and give them the three points they desire,” he said.
Zambia plays the Taifa Stars tomorrow in a Group E FIFA World Cup qualifier in Zanzibar at the Amani Stadium.
