Eliminated and out of the running for a semifinal spot, Zambia’s national football team will take to the pitch with pride and purpose when they face Botswana in their final Group D fixture of the 2025 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup. The match is set for the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Chipolopolo, once considered strong favourites for a record-extending eighth COSAFA title, saw their hopes come to an abrupt end following a goalless draw between Comoros and Botswana on Monday night. With no points from their first two group games, Zambia’s early exit mirrors their 2024 campaign, where they also failed to progress past the group stage.
Despite the disappointment, the Zambian squad is determined to end their campaign on a positive note. Assistant coach Beston Chambeshi expressed the team’s desire to fight for national pride in their final outing.
“It is painful because the mission we came for we haven’t delivered,” Chambeshi admitted. “But we still have one more game to go, and we owe it to the fans and ourselves to give it our best.”
Zambia’s campaign has been plagued by defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in front of goal—issues that the technical bench hopes to address ahead of the Botswana clash. While the match may be inconsequential in terms of progression, it presents a valuable opportunity for younger players to gain experience and for the team to end the tournament with a morale-boosting win.
Botswana, on the other hand, still have a mathematical chance to advance, depending on other results. This sets the stage for a spirited encounter, with both teams eager to walk away with maximum points.
As Zambia reflect on back-to-back early exits, the match also marks a critical moment for introspection within the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). With fans growing increasingly vocal about the team’s inconsistent performances, changes in strategy, squad development, and long-term planning could be on the horizon.
For now, though, the focus remains on salvaging some pride in Bloemfontein. A win over Botswana would not only restore some dignity but also serve as a small consolation in what has otherwise been a forgettable tournament for the Chipolopolo.