Zambia captain Fashion Sakala has promised a determined Chipolopolo performance when Zambia takes on Togo in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Sakala says the team is ready to respond after suffering an away defeat to Algeria in their Group I campaign. With Zambia playing in front of a home crowd, the captain believes the support from Zambian fans can provide additional motivation. He also stressed that winning home matches will be important if Zambia is to achieve its ambition of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. His comments have raised expectations ahead of what Zambia sees as an important home fixture.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Sakala said the Chipolopolo squad is motivated and prepared to compete strongly against Togo. He acknowledged Zambia’s defeat against Algeria but pointed out that the match was played away from home, where the Algerian team had the backing of its supporters. Sakala said Zambia now has an opportunity to respond on home soil and make better use of the conditions in Ndola. He described the players as confident and motivated ahead of the match. His message was clear that the team intends to approach the game with determination from the opening whistle.
“If we want to qualify, we have to win this game,” Sakala said while outlining the importance of the fixture. The Zambia captain expressed strong confidence that the team can secure victory against Togo. He also promised supporters that they would see a different performance from the Chipolopolo compared with the previous match. Sakala said every player would give their best in pursuit of the result Zambia needs. His comments underline the importance of home form in Zambia’s 2027 AFCON qualification campaign.
Playing at home gives Zambia the advantage of having its supporters behind the team at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Sakala said he expects the stadium to be full and praised Zambian fans for the support they have consistently provided to the national team. The Chipolopolo captain believes the atmosphere created by supporters can help motivate the players during the match. Home support can also create a strong sense of occasion for an important international fixture. Zambia will therefore enter the game with both the responsibility of performing well and the expectation that its supporters will play their part from the stands.
The match against Togo is particularly important because Zambia needs to collect points in the group if it is to remain on course for qualification. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will provide another opportunity for the Chipolopolo to compete on the continental stage. Zambia has a notable history in the competition, including winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012. The national team will now need consistency throughout the qualifying campaign to secure another appearance at the tournament. Winning matches at home can provide an important foundation as Zambia works through its Group I fixtures.
Sakala also addressed criticism directed at him as an individual during the press conference. The forward said he does not allow criticism to distract him from his responsibilities as a professional footballer. He pointed to his long career at the international and professional level as evidence of the work and commitment required to remain in the game. Sakala said he prefers to focus his attention on the team rather than himself. However, he acknowledged that criticism is part of football and said his experiences have helped him develop greater courage and confidence.
The Zambia captain also spoke about his personal journey and the work that has gone into reaching his current position. Sakala said he is entering his 13th year at this level and described his career as the result of significant effort and commitment behind the scenes. His comments show that he views criticism as something that can contribute to his development rather than prevent him from performing. He said the challenges he has experienced have encouraged him to work harder for every match. Sakala also expressed pride in how far he has come in his football career.
The forward’s response comes at a time when individual performances are often closely scrutinised in international football. As captain of the Chipolopolo, Sakala carries additional attention whenever Zambia plays an important competitive fixture. His ability to focus on the match rather than external criticism will be important as he leads the team against Togo. The captain has also made it clear that his priority remains the collective performance of the national team. That focus reflects the wider objective of securing the points needed to strengthen Zambia’s position in the AFCON qualification campaign.
Zambia’s preparation for the Togo match has therefore centred on confidence, determination and the importance of taking advantage of home conditions. Sakala has repeatedly stressed that the team understands what is required from the fixture. The players must turn their motivation into an effective performance once the match begins. For the Chipolopolo, the result will matter more than individual statements or expectations before kick-off. The team will have to demonstrate its readiness through its performance on the pitch.
The Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola is expected to provide the setting for a passionate atmosphere as supporters gather to back the national team. Ticket prices for the match are set at K50 for the North, South and East stands, K250 for the West stand and K500 for VIP seating. Tickets are being sold through the FAZ TechPay platform. The availability of different ticket categories gives supporters several options for attending the match. With Sakala expecting strong attendance, the crowd will be an important part of the match-day environment.
The fixture also gives Zambia an opportunity to respond positively after the away loss to Algeria. Sakala has already framed the result in the context of playing away from home and now wants the team to produce a stronger display in front of its supporters. A victory against Togo would provide Zambia with an important result in its 2027 AFCON qualification campaign. The players will need to combine confidence with discipline throughout the match because qualification campaigns often depend on consistent results across several fixtures. Every home match can therefore carry significant importance as teams compete for places at the continental tournament.
For Sakala, the match represents both a leadership responsibility and an opportunity to answer questions through his performance on the field. His comments show that he remains focused on helping the team achieve its qualification objective rather than becoming distracted by personal criticism. He has also made clear that his confidence comes from years of professional football and the work required to maintain a career at the highest level. As captain, he will be expected to set the tone for the Chipolopolo and help maintain concentration during the match. His leadership will be closely watched alongside the performances of the rest of the squad.
Zambia’s clash with Togo is therefore more than another fixture on the AFCON qualification schedule. It is an opportunity for the Chipolopolo to respond after an away defeat, use home advantage and collect valuable points in Group I. Fashion Sakala has told supporters to expect a fired-up Zambia and has expressed strong confidence in the team’s ability to deliver. The captain has also urged fans to continue providing the support that he says the national team has always valued. When Zambia takes the field at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, the focus will ultimately shift from pre-match promises to performance, with the result determining whether the Chipolopolo can strengthen its pursuit of qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.