By Chikondi Zulu | Bola Yapa Zed |19th November 2025
Zambia’s Chipolopolo suffered a narrow 3–2 defeat to Angola on Tuesday night in Luanda, extending their winless run to three matches. The friendly was part of both teams’ preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to kick off on 21 December in Morocco. Despite missing several key senior players, Zambia showed flashes of brilliance but were once again undone by defensive errors, which have now become a recurring concern ahead of the continental tournament.
Angola made a blistering start, applying immediate pressure on a shaky Zambian backline. Their efforts paid off in the 5th minute when Joao Felicio capitalised on hesitation in the defence, slotting home from close range. Zambia appeared unsettled early on, struggling to find rhythm as Angola dictated the tempo.
However, as the minutes passed, Zambia slowly grew into the game, stabilising their midfield and pushing forward with intent.
Zambia’s persistence paid off in the 21st minute when Jack Kaliche Lahn, the Swedish-raised forward, unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box to level the score at 1–1. The goal came at a crucial moment, shifting momentum temporarily in Zambia’s favour.
But just when Zambia seemed to be competing consistently, Angola restored their lead in the 40th minute. Zito Luvumbo fired a shot that deflected off a defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and making it 2–1 at halftime.
The Chipolopolo returned from the break with renewed energy. In the 48th minute, Fashion Sakala made a well-timed run behind the Angolan defence and calmly beat the goalkeeper to make it 2–2. It was Zambia’s best phase of the match, with the team showing improved cohesion and attacking fluency.
For a brief spell, Zambia pushed their hosts back, hinting at a possible comeback.
Zambia’s resilience was short-lived. In the 57th minute, Angolan striker Pacirncia Mabululu rose above the defence to head home the decisive goal, making it 3–2. The Chipolopolo defence failed to deal with a high cross yet another costly lapse marking the difference between the sides.
Despite late attempts to rescue a draw, including pressure in the final minutes, Zambia couldn’t break the Angolan backline.
Zambia will walk away from Luanda with both positives and concerns. The attack looked sharp, with goals from Kaliche and Fashion Sakala, but defensive vulnerabilities continue to haunt the team as the AFCON tournament approaches. With less than a month before the continental showpiece, coach Avram Grant’s replacement and the technical bench will have to tighten the defensive setup to ensure Zambia competes effectively on the grand stage. For Angola, the win boosts confidence as they fine-tune their preparations.
