A top South American official has been appointed for Chipolopolo’s glamour international assignment, with Venezuelan referee Alexis Herrera set to take charge of Zambia’s high-profile friendly against world champions Argentina.
The match, scheduled for Tuesday evening at the iconic La Bombonera, marks a crucial send-off fixture for Lionel Scaloni’s side ahead of the FIFA World Cup, as they wrap up their preparations on home soil.
Experienced Hand on the Whistle
Herrera, one of Venezuela’s most respected referees, brings a wealth of continental experience to the encounter. A FIFA-listed referee since 2017, the 36-year-old has officiated extensively across South America’s biggest competitions, including the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, World Cup qualifiers and Copa América.
Known for his firm and disciplined approach, Herrera is no stranger to high-pressure fixtures and is trusted by CONMEBOL to handle matches involving elite clubs and national teams.
Big Stage Appointment
Tuesday’s fixture presents another major milestone in Herrera’s growing résumé, having previously handled matches such as:
Lanús vs Flamengo – CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana
Brazil vs Chile – World Cup Qualifier
Bolivia vs Uruguay – Copa América
His appointment underlines the magnitude of the Zambia vs Argentina clash, as Chipolopolo face one of the world’s top-ranked sides in Buenos Aires.
📝 Match Officials
Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
Assistant Referee 1: Lubim Torralba (Venezuela)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Ponte (Venezuela)
Fourth Official: Leandro Rey Hilfer (Argentina)
Chipolopolo Ready for Giant Test
The international friendly will see Zambia take on the reigning world champions in what is expected to be a stern test for the youthful Chipolopolo squad. Argentina are using the match as part of their final preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having lined up a series of friendlies during the March window.
Kick-off is set for 20:30 local time in Buenos Aires (01:30 Zambian time on Wednesday), as Zambia step onto one of football’s grandest stages against Lionel Messi and company.
