Chipolopolo Zambia Match 24-Year Record Winning Run, Top Group H

Chipolopolo has won three consecutive AFCON group stage qualifiers for the first time in 24 years, as the team comes closer to qualifying for 2023 AFCON.

On Sunday, the Zambian national team beat Lesotho 2-0 at Dobsonville Stadium, the first time they have achieved three back-to-back AFCON qualifier group stages since their campaign for AFCON 2000.

Back in 1999, the late Ben Bamfuchile guided Zambia to wins over Kenya 1-0 in Lusaka, Madagascar 3-0 at Konkola Stadium, and DR Congo 1-0 away. In their fourth match, the 1999 Chipolopolo drew with DR Congo, setting the standard with a four-match unbeaten run that has yet to be outdone.

So far, Zambia has beaten Comoros 2-1 in Lusaka, Lesotho 3-1 in Ndola and Lesotho 2-0 away. Zambia lost their first qualifier 3-1 away to Cote d’Ivoire.

Patson Daka earned his third brace at national level on Sunday. The 24-year-old Leicester City forward put two past Algeria and Zimbabwe in the 2022 AFCON qualifiers.

Zambia now sits 2 points above Cote d’Ivoire, who play third-placed Comoros tomorrow. Chipolopolo will have an opportunity for revenge when they host their penultimate qualifier in the week beginning June 12. If they win the game, they will sit between 2 and 5 points clear of Cote d’Ivoire in Group H, will match the 1999 Zambia unbeaten run, and will set a new record of 4 consecutive wins.

To qualify, Zambia needs to finish second or first in group H.

Image via Zambian Eye.