By Kalumiana Kalumiana
2012 AFCON winner Davies Nkausu has given an insight into what kind of elite sportsman mindset Chipolopolo players need in their approach to Tuesdays’ second 2027 AFCON Group I qualifier against Togo following Friday’s setback in their away loss to Algeria.
Chipolopolo heads into their September 29 fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola bruised after losing their opening Group I qualifier 3-1 to Algeria in Tizi-Ouzou.
Nkausu said in an interview with Revelation Sports that, from his experience, they are certain elements at this level of national team competition one needs to mentally overcome major setbacks very quickly which come in losses from high-pressure games like the one against Algeria.
“Firstly as a player what I use to do is rewatch the game, see how many balls I won, how many tackles I won, how many passes I passed going forward, how many times I lead by example in the field, how many times I was communicating,” Nkausu said.
Nkausu described tomorrow evening’s game against Togo as war.
“There’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves right now. It comes down to how much the players want it and turn it around if we believe we can win the Togo game, but it’s not going to be easy. It will take up discipline and hard work. Remember, God helps people who help themselves. They must believe they can win it and push each other,” Nkausu said.
Friday’s defeat has left Chipolopolo with an uphill battle to overcome so early in the 2027 AFCON Group I qualifiers.
Zambia are bottom of Group I, while Togo comes to Ndola this Tuesday in second place in the group on 3 points with just goal difference separating them from leaders Algeria.
Togo beat Burundi 1-0 in their opening Group I qualifier on Friday in Lome and know a draw at Levy tomorrow may just be enough to keep them in the top two bracket with four games to go after the first two rounds of qualifiers in the September window.
Only the top two finishers qualify for the 2027 AFCON from each of the 12 groups in the race for tickets to the tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Chipolopolo are chasing a third successive AFCON appearance after qualifying for the 2024 and 2025, which saw Zambia restore some consistency after an eight-year drought of failing to qualify for Africa’s biggest showpiece.
