The Zambia National Futsal Team suffered a heavy 7–2 defeat to Egypt in the first of two international friendly matches in Cairo as preparations continue for the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The match at the Sports Centre provided Zambia with an important opportunity to test its squad against one of the continent’s established futsal sides. Egypt took control of the contest and punished Zambia’s difficulties in front of goal and in defence. The result will give the Zambian technical team several areas to assess before the two teams meet again on Tuesday. Zambia will now aim to regroup, address the weaknesses exposed in the opening friendly and produce a stronger performance in the second encounter.
Egypt’s attacking players proved decisive throughout the match, with Mohammed Talaat leading the way after scoring a hat-trick. Ibrahim Elsayed also made a major contribution by finding the net twice for the Pharaohs. Abdelrahman added another goal, while goalkeeper Ahmad Fikry also got on the scoresheet as Egypt completed a seven-goal performance. The variety of goalscorers underlined the attacking threat Egypt posed to the Zambian defence. For Zambia, limiting the spaces available to Egypt and improving defensive organization will be important areas to address before the next meeting.
Zambia managed to score twice during the match through Musa Chiwaya and Royd Chishala. Their goals provided some encouragement on an otherwise difficult afternoon for the team. Scoring against a strong Egyptian side can give Zambia useful information about the attacking opportunities it can create at international level. However, the two goals were not enough to prevent Egypt from establishing a commanding advantage. Zambia will need to improve its efficiency in possession and make better use of its chances if it wants to challenge Egypt more effectively in the second friendly.
The match became even more challenging for Zambia after captain Chota Chileshe received a red card. Losing a captain during an international match can disrupt a team’s structure, particularly in futsal where the smaller playing area and rapid changes of possession place significant demands on every player. The dismissal left Zambia with an additional challenge as the team attempted to contain an Egypt side that was already creating problems. Zambia’s players and coaching staff will therefore need to assess the circumstances surrounding the red card and ensure discipline remains a priority. Maintaining composure will be especially important as the team continues preparations for a major continental tournament.
Despite the disappointing scoreline, the friendly offers Zambia valuable preparation ahead of the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. International friendlies allow teams to identify weaknesses in competitive conditions without the immediate pressure of a tournament match. Zambia can use the experience against Egypt to evaluate defensive organization, attacking movement, discipline and overall game management. The technical team can also assess how individual players respond when facing sustained pressure from a strong opponent. These lessons can be particularly useful as Zambia works to sharpen its squad before the continental competition.
Egypt provides a demanding test because of the quality and experience associated with its futsal programme. Facing a team capable of scoring seven goals gives Zambia a clear indication of the level it may encounter when competing against strong opposition in Africa. The second friendly therefore presents an immediate opportunity to make adjustments rather than allowing the problems from the first match to continue. Zambia can focus on reducing defensive errors, improving its response after conceding goals and creating more consistent attacking opportunities. A better performance in the return match would provide a positive response and offer further encouragement ahead of the AFCON tournament.
The back-to-back matches in Cairo also give Zambia an opportunity to study how its players respond to changes made between games. The coaching staff can make tactical adjustments based on what happened in the first encounter. Players who struggled in particular situations can work on those areas while the team can also test different combinations and approaches. The second game is therefore more than another friendly because it gives Zambia a chance to apply lessons immediately against the same opposition. That type of preparation can help the team build greater confidence and understanding before the tournament begins.
Zambia’s preparations for the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations will require the team to respond positively to difficult results. The 7–2 defeat does not determine how the team will perform in Morocco, but it exposes areas that require attention before the competition. Zambia now has another opportunity against Egypt to demonstrate improvement and restore confidence. The players will need to remain focused, disciplined and organized while making better use of their attacking chances. The outcome of the second friendly will provide another useful assessment of the team’s readiness.
The Zambia National Futsal Team will now look to regroup ahead of Tuesday’s second international friendly against Egypt in Cairo. The first match exposed significant defensive and disciplinary challenges, but it also provided valuable competitive experience and two goals from Chiwaya and Chishala. Zambia’s immediate priority will be to correct its mistakes and deliver a more controlled performance in the return fixture. With the 2026 Futsal AFCON approaching, every international match offers an opportunity to improve the squad and strengthen its tactical preparations. A strong response against Egypt would give Zambia a timely boost as the team continues its journey toward the continental tournament in Morocco.