Chipolopolo Face Libya In Final Pre-CHAN Friendly

Chipolopolo will on Wednesday face Libya in an international friendly as the final stage in their preparations for the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is scheduled to kick-off on January 16 in Cameroon.

The match will take place at Japoma Stadium in Douala. The team will then move on to Limbe for its Group matches.

According to midfielder Benson Sakala the team has adapted well to weather conditions in the country, having arrived in Cameroon on December 31, 2020.

Since their arrival, Chipolopolo have kept busy by participating in a four nation pre-CHAN tournament hosted in Yaoundé. During the pre-tournament the team drew with Niger (3-3), lost to Uganda (2-0), finishing up with a win against hosts Cameroon (2-0).

“We have been doing our very best since we arrived here in Douala. As you can feel it is hot here, but we have adapted this time,” vice-captain Sakala told reporters.

“The team looks very sharp. Every game is important for us as players and as a nation since we are representing the country. It is a very important game (Libya) that will give us confidence going forward,” the Power Dynamos strong man stated.

Zambia has been drawn in Group D in the upcoming tournament, alongside Guinea, Namibia and Tanzania. The Chipolopolo team will open their campaign against the Taifa Stars on January 19, before facing Guinea four days later. The final group game against Namibia will take place on January 27, 2020.

Commenting on the upcoming CHAN Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanga stated, “We urge all the Zambians to rally behind the team as they fly our flag at the tournament. With the preparations the team has had, we have no doubt that they will do our country proud."