Zambia are through to the Morocco 2026 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Ghana over two legs in the final round of qualification.
The National Futsal Team sealed passage with a convincing 2-0 win in the return leg at the Automotive Futsal Arena in Lusaka.
The team completed the two – legged task via an 8-6 aggregate victory following a 6-6 draw in the first leg played in Ghana last Tuesday.
Zambia controlled the home tie and showed greater composure having settled early and dictated the tempo of the match.
The boys struck inside two minutes when Patrick Banda found the net to give the hosts an early advantage.
Ghana responded by pushing for an equaliser, but Zambia remained organised at the back and kept the West Africans at bay.
In the second half, Ghana continued searching for a way back, but it was Zambia who extended their lead in the 24th minute through Musa Chiwaya.
Chiwaya’s strike proved decisive as Zambia managed the game well and held on until the final whistle.
Head Coach Andrea Cristoforetti said he was happy the team qualified and called for hard work ahead the AFCON.
Cristoforetti urged the team to raise their game if they are to do well in Morocco
He lamented the team’s failure to convert the many chances they created.
“I’m happy we have qualified. This is what we wanted but on the performance of the team am not happy. We missed a lot of changes if you look at the chances we created this is not the game that can finish 2-0. It could have been 8-0 or 10 -0,” he said.
The coach, however, praised his team’s defense for keeping a clean sheet.
Team captain Chota Chileshe said qualification was the main objective and commended the effort shown by the players.
“This is all we needed. We now need to be supported. This was a tough match but we are happy we have qualified,” Chileshe said.
Ghana coach Philip Boakye conceded defeat and acknowledged Zambia’s improvement.
“Zambia played well. They have improved a lot, they should continue with the way they are playing,” Boakye said.
Ghana captain Timothy Kantanka said Zambia were the better side and deserved the win.
This is Zambia’s second successive appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, having also featured at the 2024 edition hosted by Morocco.
By FAZ Media
