By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Zambia must overcome some midweek turbulence when they kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier tonight when they host Congo-Brazzaville at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The match comes 72 hours after Chipolopolo players allegedly boycotted Wednesday morning training in Ndola over an unpaid pledge from the Government from the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
According to sports minister Elvis Nkandu, it was merely a pledge, not an official obligation, to motivate the team as it wrapped up a very successful AFCON qualifying run that also ended Zambia’s eight-year absence from the tournament.
With the AFCON objective out of the way, Chipolopolo is expected to put the brief midweek money hailstorm aside and focus on one objective that has eternally eluded Zambia.
Chipolopolo has made an easily forgotten 14th unsuccessful attempt to qualify to the FIFA World Cup since entering the 1970 qualifiers way back in 1968.
Zambia starts their race against Congo whom they last faced over a year ago on March 25, 2002, in a three-nation friendly in Antalya, Turkey.
Chipolopolo won that match 3-1 in a match that marked defenders Frankie Musonda and Aime Mabika’s debuts, that the former marked with a dream start with a goal.
Nine players are back while another scorer in that match Enock Mwepu has since retired due to health reasons.
There will also be no reunion against Congo for Evans Kangwa, Lubambo Musonda and Frankie Musonda due to injury while goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata who is still out of favour due to lack of game time at Zesco United.
But midfielders Kelvin Kampamba, Kings Kangwa and Clatius Chama plus goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga are the notables available from the last meeting.
“Injuries are part of football and one cannot run away from them but we have players that we think can do the job,” Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant said.
Meanwhile, Grant has emphasizes the importance of starting with a victory.
“We know it won’t be an easy game but we will be ready,” Grant said.
“Yes, Zambia has not gone to the World Cup before, it is a challenge and it is also a tough group with only the top one team to qualify but we will do our best.”
However, promising starts in FIFA World Cup qualifiers are not uncommon for Chipolopolo with the 2022 Qatar race a good example when they beat Mauritania 1-0 away but faded in the race to finish third in the group.
Despite that, a victory is crucial tonight because Chipolopolo will immediately after the game head to Morocco for match-day- two fixture again Niger on November 21 in Marrakesh.
The second match against Niger will be Chipolopolo’s final competitive game of the year before heading to the 2023 AFCON in January.
