By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Chipolopolo yesterday set their worst international tournament record when they lost 1-0 to co-hosts Kenya in their formality 2025 CHAN Group A match in Nairobi to bring into full spotlight the reality on the ground of the state of domestic Zambian football.
It was Zambia’s fourth successive loss at the CHAN where they were blessed with not a customary 3 group games but a generous 4 matches in which they had adequate time to redeem themselves but elected to be a toothless African football superpower or a semblance of it.
But the CHAN record was actually a bonus milestone after signs of the state of quality local talent in the FAZ Super League were manifest at the 2024 COSAFA Cup.
At the 2024 COSAFA Cup, Chipolopolo were also kicked out at group stage on zero points from the standard 3 games and to make it worse Zambia did so as defending champions of the regional tournament in which they are the record 7-time winners.
Meanwhile, the first half of Sunday’s formality game saw Kenya not only enjoy the lion’s share of possession but also efficiently out-pass Chipolopolo.
Chipolopolo midfielder Kelvin Mubanga’s free kick that went a meter wide of the post was the only talking point of the first half.
The second half was all Kenya, Alpha Onyango’s 56th effort was parried by Zambia goalkeeper Charles Kalumba while in the 62nd minute a Happy Nsiku handball while diving to clear a Boniface Muchiri effort was fortunately ignored by the referee.
Mubanga then had another free-kick in the 67th minute but it went inches high.
The deadlock was broken in the 74th minute through a long-range shot from Ryan Ogam.
Mubanga continued to be Zambia’s only threat, albeit in erratic intervals, and his 82nd minute shot was parried by Kenya goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo.
But goalkeeper Kalumba should be given credit for a dignified scoreline after denying Marvin Nabwire and Michiri in the 85th and 87th minutes respectively.
Unbeaten Kenya head into the quarterfinal with 3 wins and a draw under coach Benni MacCathy.
Chipolopolo on the other hand have bowed out with a frightening 8 goals conceded and scored a paltry 2 and are heading back home to chart a new drawing board from a domestic league that holds little promise of depth and quality.
