By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Chipolopolo Zambia hunt for their first official win on the pitch in 2025 when they visit Tanzania in a penultimate 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E qualifier in Zanzibar.
The match is a formality after Chipolopolo failed to even make the 2026 qualifier playoff but coach Avram Grant is using the Tanzania game plus the home date against Niger on October 12 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola as buildup for December’s 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
But another element comes into play heading into this evening’s game against Tanzania at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
It is very easy to miss the fact that Zambia has not won on the field of play in 2025.
The only win came via a boardroom decision when Congo Brazzaville forfeited 3 points from the 2026 qualifier home date against Chipolopolo in March following a FIFA ban earlier in February.
Chipolopolo have quietly lost 7 games and drawn one while three have been walkovers including the 2025 CHAN qualifier against Mozambique.
One needs to go back to November 19, 2024 to trace Chipolopolo’s last win when they defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 away during the team’s impressive 2025 AFCON qualifying race in which Zambia lost just one match.
Tonight, they face Tanzania for the third time since January 2024 in a period they drew 1-1 at the 2024 AFCON and six months later in June the Taifa Stars beat Chipolopolo 1-0 in Ndola in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Tanzanian-based midfielder Clatous Chama said Chipolopolo is approaching the game seriously.
“It will be an interesting and tough match. Playing against Tanzania has always been interesting for us. I remember we also played them at the AFCON in the Ivory Coast, and we drew 1-1. They also beat us 1-0 in the last game and the Levy Mwanawasa. This time, we are taking this game seriously, and we are ready as Chipolopolo,” Chama said.
“It will not be an easy match, knowing how Tanzania plays at home. I think it makes it more interesting and difficult, but we are equal to the task. This is not an international friendly, that alone is a motivation and also a serious topic to put in the mind. We will take it seriously as we try to build towards the AFCON set for Morocco. We need to show that we are ready for the AFCON. It’s a platform to see how prepared we are for the December task.”
Meanwhile, Grant is banking on the same team that lost in Chipolopolo’s last game on September 8, when Morocco beat them 2-0 in Ndola in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The only player missing is midfielder Miguel Chaiwa who is sidelined with a hamstring injury he sustained on club duty at Scottish club Herbernian.
Grant also has the psychological challenge of having had one full day of training on Tuesday since Chipolopolo arrived in Zanzibar in the early hours of Monday morning from Lusaka via Addis Ababa.
