By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Kalusha Bwalya has told Chipolopolo Zambia to lift the burden of their chronic struggles in 2025 and stand up and be counted in tonight’s must-win final Group A fixture against hosts Morocco in Rabat that will decide whether their AFCON journey continues or ends.
Chipolopolo head into Monday needing the minimum of a draw to stand a strong chance of qualifying to the last 16 for the first time since 2012.
Zambia has subsequently failed to reach the knockout stage in 2013, 2015 and 2024 in an interwoven period; they also failed to qualify for 3 successive AFCONs for 8 years.
Kalusha said in his address to the players in Morocco that they must show the Atlas Lions that the old fire of Chipolopolo still burns.
Chipolopolo also heads into the showdown with 5 successive defeats at the hands of Morocco.
”From today, what I want to just say to the boys is respect. People respect our team as Zambia but we still have to earn more respect. People respect our team because of the history that we have as a country in the AFCON, so even Morocco are wary of us,” Kalusha said.
”They know that it is a game that they have to fight. We can’t make it easy for them and let’s fight. It’s the last throw of a dice for us but for me, I am happy with what we have done so far. “
Chipolopolo also goes into the game with back-to-back draws for the first time in 2025 after coming into the AFCON with 1 win, a draw from 13 matches played this year.
”I have seen a lot that has happened in African football and we are exactly where we are supposed to be. It’s a good level and we just need one step forward and we will get it,” Kalusha said.
” When we go against Morocco, let’s go with everything. Let’s go flat out and we will get the respect of everybody here. They know Zambia will give them a good game, let’s have the belief and we shall earn the respect we deserve.”
Chipolopolo have not beaten the Atlas Lions since June 16, 2019, when the team led by Beston Chambeshi beat Morocco 3-2 in a friendly played in Marrakech.
However, Chipolopolo coach Moses Sichone and the powers that be at FAZ head into the match with a storm whipped up by captain Fashion Sakala after who has misgivings over substitution in the 0-0 draw against Comoros.
The impact of his comments and Sichone’s follow-up statement stressing that the Zambia captaincy was a privilege and not a right will be interesting to see if Sakala continues in his position as Chipolopolo seeks to turn the page on a 2025 they want to end on a high note to heal the despair of the last 12 months.
