By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 14th December 2025 

FAZ Confirms DR Congo and Ivory Coast Friendlies for Chipolopolo in Spain

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed two international friendly matches for the Chipolopolo Boys as part of their preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025. The team is currently camping in Spain as head coach Moses Sichone fine-tunes his squad ahead of the continental showpiece.

Chipolopolo to Face DR Congo and Ivory Coast

FAZ has confirmed that Zambia will face the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ivory Coast in two high-profile international friendly matches. The fixtures were earlier reported and are now officially sanctioned as part of the final build-up to AFCON Morocco 2025.

The Chipolopolo Boys will take on DR Congo on December 16 before facing Ivory Coast just 24 hours later. The clash against the Elephants will be a repeat of the historic 2012 AFCON final, where Zambia lifted the trophy.

FAZ Explains Squad Rotation Plan

FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande revealed that due to the short recovery period between the two matches, the technical bench will field two different squads to manage player workload and avoid injuries.

Shepande explained that the DR Congo match will largely feature locally based players, as new FIFA regulations only allow foreign-based players to join national teams from December 15.

Foreign-Based Players for Ivory Coast Clash

According to Shepande, most foreign-based players will only be available for selection in the match against Ivory Coast. Players used in the first match will also be rested to ensure proper recovery before the team travels to Morocco.

“These matches will allow the coach to assess different combinations and make final decisions ahead of the tournament,” Shepande said while addressing FAZ Media.

AFCON Group A Challenge Awaits

Zambia has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros. The friendly matches will play a key role in shaping the final squad as the Chipolopolo Boys aim to make a strong impression at AFCON Morocco 2025.

The Chipolopolo will open their AFCON campaign against Mali on December 22.

Conclusion

With DR Congo and Ivory Coast lined up as final test matches, the Chipolopolo Boys will have a valuable opportunity to sharpen their readiness before AFCON Morocco 2025. FAZ and the technical bench remain focused on building a competitive squad capable of progressing beyond the group stage.