By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Wedson Nyirenda has described the 2025 CHAN Group A draw as of the highest quality and that Chipolopolo must demonstrate the character of a serious title contender against its opponents.
Chipolopolo is in Group A with joint two-time record winners of CHAN Morocco and DR Congo including co-hosts Kenya.
Zambia’s western neighbours and defending COSAFA Cup champions Angola complete Group A.
CAF conducted the 2025 CHAN draws on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya just 24 hours after they postponed the tournament from February to August due to operational reasons.
Kenya is one of the three co-host nations with Tanzania and Uganda, but its venues in Nairobi could not meet their completion deadline before the CHAN tournament’s initial February 1 kickoff date.
Nyirenda said in an interview that one could not run away from facing a big gun in the preliminary stages of any tournament.
“Interesting group and very competitive one. These are groups where every player should raise their heads to show what they are made of,” Nyirenda said.
“Groups like this one should produce the winner of the tournament or finalist.
“All groups look so competitive and we give respect to all the teams. Zambia should rise to the occasion in this group. “
Apart from CHAN debutants Kenya, Chipolopolo has some qualifier and tournament history with its three Group A opponents.
DR Congo eliminated Zambia in the 2009 semifinal winning 2-1 on their way to becoming the first CHAN champions at the inaugural tournament in Ivory Coast.
Then Morocco beat Zambia 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2020/2021 CHAN in Cameroon.
2011 CHAN runners-up Angola and Zambia regularly cross paths at the COSAFA Cup but this will be their first meeting at the tournament.
But their only other CHAN encounter was in the 2009 final stage qualifiers that saw Zambia beat Angola 1-0 away and 2-1 at home.
Meanwhile, CAF has not yet announced the tournament format in what will be the first time the four-group tournament will have five teams in each pool.
