Chipolopolo interim coach George “Chicken” Lwandamina has urged Zambia to quickly move on from the 2-0 victory over Togo and focus on the next challenge in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign. Zambia secured their first three points in Group I with a hard-fought win at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, responding to the 3-1 defeat against Algeria in their opening qualifier. Albert Kangwanda put Zambia ahead early in the match before Eliya Mandanji sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal. The result moved Zambia to second place in Group I, with Algeria leading on four points after a 2-2 draw against Burundi. For Lwandamina, however, the victory is only one step in a long qualification campaign, and he believes the team must continue preparing rather than spend too much time celebrating the result.
“It was a tough game. At least we have gotten three points and I am sure the table will be changed. That is how important it was. Our work is to continue preparing well. I am sure we can’t talk too much. We have to wait for the next game,” Lwandamina said after the match. His message reflects the importance of maintaining focus in a qualifying campaign where every point can affect the final group standings. Zambia entered the match against Togo needing a response after losing to Algeria in their opening Group I fixture. The victory gave the Chipolopolo their first points and placed them within one point of the group leaders. With further matches still to come, Lwandamina wants his players to treat the Togo result as part of the wider process rather than as an achievement that ends the immediate challenge.
The victory was secured through goals from Albert Kangwanda and Eliya Mandanji, with both players making important contributions at different stages of the match. Kangwanda gave Zambia an ideal start when he scored after only three minutes, giving the hosts an early advantage. Zambia created further opportunities during the first half but could not add to the lead before the interval. Togo continued to compete after the restart and put Zambia under pressure as they searched for an equaliser. Mandanji eventually settled the contest in stoppage time, completing a 2-0 victory and giving the Chipolopolo the maximum three points.
The result was particularly important because Zambia had started their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 defeat away to Algeria. That opening loss left the team needing a positive response against Togo, who had defeated Burundi in their first match. Zambia managed to provide that response by keeping a clean sheet and scoring twice. The win also changed the early picture in Group I, with Algeria on four points, Zambia and Togo on three points each and Burundi on one point. The standings remain close, meaning the upcoming fixtures will carry significant importance for all four teams. Zambia therefore have reason to be encouraged by the result while also recognising that more points will be needed as the qualification campaign continues.
Lwandamina also spoke about the gradual process of building a team that can play together effectively. He said the players are slowly bonding and learning how to understand each other on the pitch. According to the interim coach, the team will continue working to improve while the players become more familiar with the instructions and style expected from them. He noted that it was encouraging to see the players respond to what the coaching staff wanted to communicate. Building that understanding takes time, particularly when a squad includes players at different stages of their international careers. The Togo victory therefore provided another opportunity for the players to develop their understanding while competing for important qualification points.
Lwandamina compared the development of the national team to a relay race in which one group carries the baton before eventually handing it to another. His comments highlighted the importance of continuity between generations of Chipolopolo players. He said the transition process does not happen only with the current group because previous generations also played a role in preparing those who followed them. Players who represented Zambia during earlier periods, including the 2012 generation, contributed to the development of the players who came after them. The same process is now taking place as younger players enter the national team and begin taking on greater responsibility.
The coach was careful to stress that the emergence of younger players does not mean experienced players such as Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala are being pushed out of the national team. He described them as still young and capable of helping the team. Instead, he wants experienced and younger players to work together so that knowledge and responsibility can be passed between generations. This approach gives younger players an opportunity to develop while allowing established players to provide leadership and experience. It also reflects Lwandamina’s view that rebuilding the Chipolopolo should involve a gradual transition rather than an abrupt change. The objective is to create a team in which different generations can contribute to Zambia’s progress.
Lwandamina also issued a warning about the way young players are treated by supporters and the media. He said excessive praise can create problems if young footballers are given quick stardom before they have had enough time to develop. He also cautioned against negative reporting that could damage the confidence and growth of emerging players. According to the coach, the current Zambia squad is young and needs encouragement as it continues to develop. At the same time, he made it clear that criticism is part of football and can help the team improve. His message was that criticism should contribute to development rather than unnecessarily placing young players under pressure.
The emphasis on player development comes at a significant stage for the Chipolopolo. Zambia are trying to build a competitive national team while also fighting for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, adding importance to the qualifying campaign for teams seeking to reach the finals. Zambia cannot afford to focus only on one result because the qualification race will be determined across multiple fixtures. The three points against Togo have strengthened the team’s position after the opening defeat, but the next matches will provide another test of the squad’s progress.
The victory against Togo also showed the importance of resilience during a difficult match. Zambia took an early lead but were unable to immediately put the contest beyond Togo’s reach. The match was interrupted by a floodlight failure, while Zambia also had to deal with injuries during the second half. Miguel Chaiwa was forced off before David Simukonda also left the field, requiring Lwandamina to make changes to his lineup. Togo continued searching for an equaliser as the game progressed, but Zambia maintained their advantage before Mandanji scored late. The ability to protect the lead and finish strongly gave Zambia the result they needed.
Kangwanda’s early goal provided the foundation for the victory and gave Zambia confidence after their difficult opening match against Algeria. The forward’s finish came after Zambia created an opportunity in the opening minutes and immediately put Togo under pressure. The hosts continued to create chances, although they were unable to add a second goal during the first half. That meant Zambia had to remain disciplined as Togo looked for a way back into the contest. Mandanji’s late goal eventually removed the uncertainty and ensured that the three points stayed with the Chipolopolo.
The upcoming back-to-back matches against Burundi will now become the next major test for Lwandamina’s team. Zambia are scheduled to face Burundi on Match Days Three and Four, giving the Chipolopolo an opportunity to collect more points and strengthen their position in Group I. Burundi currently have one point after drawing 2-2 with Algeria, while Zambia have three points from their first two matches. The two fixtures will therefore carry importance for both teams as they seek to remain in contention. Zambia will need to prepare carefully and maintain the level of concentration that helped them overcome Togo.
Lwandamina’s decision to focus on the next game also reflects the demands of international football. A strong performance in one match does not automatically guarantee success in the following fixture. Teams must adapt to different opponents, maintain fitness and continue improving their tactical understanding. Zambia now have the opportunity to use lessons from the Togo match as they prepare for Burundi. The coaching staff will also have to assess the condition of players who suffered injuries and determine how best to manage the squad during the next stage of the campaign.
The coach’s comments about moving forward were also clear when he described the Togo result as “water under the bridge.” His message to the players was that the match was finished and the team should now look ahead. That approach can help Zambia avoid becoming distracted by either the disappointment of the Algeria defeat or the satisfaction of beating Togo. The qualification campaign requires consistent attention across every fixture. For a young team still developing its identity, maintaining that focus could be an important part of the process.
The 2-0 win over Togo has given the Chipolopolo an important platform in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Zambia responded to their opening defeat with a victory that moved them into second place in Group I, one point behind Algeria. Albert Kangwanda’s early goal and Eliya Mandanji’s stoppage-time finish provided the decisive moments in a match that required patience and resilience. Lwandamina now wants the team to build on those three points without becoming distracted by the result. With Burundi next on the schedule, Zambia’s focus has already shifted from celebrating the win to preparing for the next challenge and continuing the process of building a team capable of competing for qualification.