The Zambia National Team, popularly known as the Chipolopolo, has arrived in Francistown to prepare for the Mukuru Four-Nations Tournament starting this Saturday. The team held its first training session on Wednesday evening at the Adansonia Hotel training pitch, marking the start of focused preparations ahead of their opening match. The session allowed players and technical staff to assess fitness levels, review tactical plans, and build cohesion on and off the field. Assistant coach Osward Mutapa leads the technical bench, supported by first assistant Numba Mumamba and second assistant George Chilufya. Each staff member has been assigned specific roles to ensure the team is fully prepared for the tournament challenges.
The Chipolopolo technical team includes specialized roles designed to optimize performance during the competition. Chintu Kampamba is serving as physical trainer, ensuring players maintain peak fitness levels, while Mike Poto manages goalkeeping training to strengthen defensive reliability. Lemekani Mwanza serves as the video analyst, providing detailed insights into opponents’ strategies and helping refine team tactics. Major Sipuka Ndaba is the team doctor, responsible for player health, injury prevention, and rehabilitation throughout the tournament. These assignments are specific to the four-nations event and demonstrate the team’s structured approach to preparation, combining technical expertise with physical readiness and medical support.
Zambia is scheduled to face Malawi on Saturday at 15:00 at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, a match that will set the tone for their tournament campaign. The team’s preparation in Francistown focuses on tactical drills, physical conditioning, and teamwork exercises to ensure readiness against a competitive opponent. Coaches are placing emphasis on attacking patterns, defensive coordination, and set-piece execution, while also monitoring player stamina and recovery. Training sessions also aim to foster team spirit, ensuring that players understand their roles and can respond to dynamic match situations. With these preparations, the Chipolopolo aim to enter the tournament fully prepared to compete at a high level.
The arrival and first training session in Francistown mark a critical phase in Zambia’s tournament journey. By combining specialized coaching, focused fitness routines, and strategic planning, the team is positioning itself to perform effectively against Malawi and other participating nations. The structured preparation underscores the country’s commitment to international competition and highlights the importance of detailed planning in achieving success. As the tournament approaches, the Chipolopolo are expected to maintain high intensity in training, refine tactical strategies, and build cohesion that will translate into competitive performance on match day. These efforts aim to secure strong results and demonstrate Zambia’s readiness on the regional football stage.