By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 17th December 2025
The Chipolopolo Boys’ final preparations for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations began with a setback after a 2–0 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in an international friendly played at the Pinatar Football Centre in Murcia, Spain. The match offered head coach Moses Sichone an opportunity to assess his squad depth, particularly younger players, ahead of Zambia’s Group A campaign in Morocco.
Despite enjoying significant spells of possession and creating chances, Zambia were punished for lapses in concentration and a lack of clinical finishing, while an experienced Congolese side made their moments count.
DR Congo Strike Despite Zambian Control
Zambia started the match with confidence, dominating possession and showing good structure, especially in midfield where Kings Kangwa partnered Zesco United duo Pascal Phiri and David Simukonda. Moses Sichone also handed starting roles to young wingbacks David Hamasenya and Mathews Banda, while Patson Daka and newly appointed captain Fashion Sakala led the attack.
However, against the run of play, DR Congo took the lead in the 23rd minute. Arthur Masuaku fired a long-range effort that slipped past goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga, giving the Leopards a 1–0 advantage despite Zambia’s positive start.
The Chipolopolo responded well, creating several scoring opportunities. Daka, Sakala, and Kangwa all went close, while Owen Tembo struck the woodwork, but Zambia failed to convert their chances before the break.
Second-Half Lapse Seals Defeat
After halftime, DR Congo grew into the match and began to exploit moments of hesitation in the Zambian backline. In the 72nd minute, Rocky Bushiri doubled the Congolese lead with a close-range header from a corner kick, punishing Zambia for ball-watching and defensive indecision.
The goal effectively ended Zambia’s hopes of a comeback, despite continued effort and pressing. Sichone rotated his squad as the match progressed, using the opportunity to further evaluate combinations ahead of the tournament.
The result highlighted key areas that need sharpening before Zambia opens its AFCON campaign, particularly defensive concentration and efficiency in front of goal.
Sichone Finds Positives in Defeat
Speaking after the match, head coach Moses Sichone remained encouraged by his side’s overall performance, stressing that the defeat provided valuable lessons rather than panic.
“First and foremost, I want to congratulate the players despite the result. What I saw was a team that really wanted to win the game. We played according to our plans, and we were supposed to score before Congo scored,” Sichone said.
He acknowledged individual errors but praised the team’s mentality.
“Mistakes are part of football. What pleased me is that after the mistake, the boys didn’t show disappointment. We continued pushing and created chances, but unfortunately we didn’t utilise them.”
Young Players Earn Praise
Sichone also singled out several young players for their performances against a seasoned Congolese side, emphasizing the importance of building depth for the future.
“Players like David Simukonda, Mathews Banda, and David Hamasenya are young and learning. They made some mistakes, but that’s why we are here as coaches—to guide and encourage them. Overall, I’m happy with how they performed,” he added.
The match served as a key assessment tool as Zambia fine-tunes its squad balance ahead of AFCON.
Focus Shifts to AFCON Opener
Zambia will now conclude their Spanish training camp and travel to their tournament base after the cancellation of the planned friendly against Ivory Coast. FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande confirmed the decision was made to allow players adequate recovery time.
The Chipolopolo Boys will open their AFCON Morocco 2025 campaign against Mali on Monday, December 22, in Casablanca. Group A also features hosts Morocco and Comoros, setting up a challenging but exciting path for Zambia.
Conclusion
While the result against DR Congo was not ideal, the friendly provided crucial insights for the technical bench as Zambia edges closer to AFCON kick-off. With lessons learned, young players tested, and preparations continuing, attention now turns fully to the group-stage opener and the task of making a strong impression on the continental stage.
