The Zambia men’s national football team have stepped up preparations for their crucial Group I Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi, with head coach George Lwandamina and his technical bench making important adjustments to strengthen the squad ahead of Friday’s encounter. The Chipolopolo are determined to secure a positive result as they continue their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Preparations have gathered momentum following the arrival of three players called up as replacements for injured squad members. Their arrival has given Lwandamina a complete training group as he assesses his options for the important fixture. With qualification points at stake, Zambia will be looking to take full advantage of home support when they welcome Burundi to the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Lwandamina’s preparations initially faced a setback following injuries to key players Patson Daka, Lameck Banda and Gamphani Lungu. The absence of the trio forced the technical bench to make changes to the original squad as the coaching staff worked to maintain the team’s strength and balance. However, the situation has improved with all three replacement players reporting to camp. Iraq-based Prince Mumba, who plays for Al Gharraf SC, has joined the squad alongside Edward Chilufya of Hapoel Jerusalem and Derrick Bulaya of Green Eagles. Their arrival completes the group of players called up to fill the gaps created by the injuries.
The three players will now have an opportunity to demonstrate their readiness and convince the technical team that they deserve a place in the final matchday squad. Prince Mumba brings additional options from his experience playing in Iraq, while Chilufya adds another attacking option through his involvement in Israeli football. Bulaya also provides Lwandamina with another domestic-based option as Zambia prepares for the challenge posed by Burundi. Their inclusion gives the coach more flexibility when considering his starting lineup and possible tactical adjustments. The technical bench will need to assess the players’ fitness, form and understanding of the team’s approach before making its final decisions.
Zambia have been working with a 30-member squad during the current training camp, with the technical team expected to reduce the group to 26 players for the match. This means four players will miss out when the final selection is confirmed. The competition for places is likely to remain strong as players look to impress during the remaining training sessions. Lwandamina and his assistants must consider several factors, including physical condition, tactical discipline and the ability to perform under pressure. Selecting the right combination will be important as Zambia seeks to secure maximum points against a Burundi side that will also be eager to improve its position in the group.
The match is scheduled for Friday at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, with kick-off set for 15:00 Central African Time. Playing at home gives Zambia an opportunity to use familiar surroundings and the support of local fans to their advantage. The Chipolopolo will need to approach the contest with concentration and determination, particularly because every point could influence the final Group I standings. Burundi are expected to provide a competitive challenge despite their current position at the bottom of the table. Zambia must therefore avoid complacency and focus on delivering a disciplined performance throughout the match.
The Group I standings make Friday’s encounter particularly important for Zambia’s qualification ambitions. Algeria currently lead the group with four points, while Zambia and Togo are level on three points each. Burundi occupy the bottom position with one point after the opening matches. The narrow difference between the teams means that the standings could change significantly depending on the results of the upcoming fixtures. A victory would give Zambia an important boost and strengthen its position among the leading contenders for qualification. Dropping points at home, however, could make the remaining matches more difficult and increase the pressure on the team.
The qualification campaign carries additional significance because the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania under the PAMOJA 2027 banner. The tournament will bring together Africa’s leading national teams for one of the continent’s biggest football competitions. With only the top two teams in Group I guaranteed qualification, Zambia cannot afford to underestimate any opponent. The team must maintain consistency across its remaining matches rather than depend on a single positive result. Every fixture represents an opportunity to move closer to securing a place at the continental tournament.
For Lwandamina, the immediate priority is to ensure that the available players understand their responsibilities and are physically prepared for the Burundi challenge. The arrival of Mumba, Chilufya and Bulaya has restored the squad numbers following the injuries to Daka, Banda and Lungu. However, having a full training group is only the first step towards achieving the desired result. The coaching staff must now identify the strongest available combination and ensure that the players execute their game plan effectively. Zambia will also need to show attacking purpose while maintaining defensive organisation against a Burundi team that will be determined to compete for points.
The Chipolopolo have an important opportunity to strengthen their position in the Group I Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they host Burundi in Ndola. With all replacement players now in camp, Lwandamina has a complete 30-member training squad from which to select his final 26. The absence of three injured players presents a challenge, but the arrival of Mumba, Chilufya and Bulaya provides additional options for the technical bench. A strong performance and victory on Friday would help Zambia maintain pressure on group leaders Algeria and improve its chances of reaching PAMOJA 2027. As preparations continue, attention will turn to the final squad selection and the team’s ability to turn its training efforts into three valuable points at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.