By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Chipolopolo B assistant coach Beston Chambeshi says they need more friendlies before the 2025 CHAN in August to make up for Zambia’s early group stage exit from the COSAFA Cup.
Chambeshi said playing just two groups stage matches at the 2025 COSAFA Cup where they made an early exit with a point after losing 1-0 to Comoros last Friday and drawing 3-3 with Botswana on Tuesday was not enough buildup for the home-based team going to CHAN.
In an interview with FAZ media in Bloemfontein, South Africa after Chipolopolo’s exit on Wednesday, Chambeshi said the positives were that at least five debutants they took to the COSAFA Cup showed their national team potential.
“As you saw we had 3 teams in our group and wished we had 4 teams and the way we picked up after the Botswana game we could have gone far,” Chambeshi said.
Chambeshi singled out Kabwe Warriors defender Tinkler Mwansa, striker Evans Kayombo of NAPSA Stars, ZESCO United defender Fred Mwiche and FC MUZA attacker Andrew Phiri as notable debutants who impressed.
“As a teachical staff we have seen players who can play at the national level,” Chambeshi said.
Chambeshi also disclosed that they technically had three weeks to get Chipolopolo ready for CHAN that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will co host from August 2-30.
“We will see what we can do as a technical bench and draft a plan for FAZ and see how they can handle that plan for us. WE don’t have enough time,” Chambishi said. “If we plan we can go far and for sure we need a lot of friendlies so that the boys can gel because they need that coordination especially to play at a big tournament like CHAN.”
Chambeshi also gave an outline of the key departments that had shortcomings from the COSAFA Cup.
“You need a strong defence so that you don’t concede goals so that’s the area we need to improve and even the strike force. We need those areas to be handled well so that we can cement all the positions in the team,” said Chambeshi.
