Zambia’s Local CHAN Squad Enters Camp as Coach Nyirenda Eyes Tough Group A Challenge

The local Chipolopolo squad will officially enter camp on Monday, May 19, to begin preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was rescheduled to run from August 2 to 30, 2025. The continental tournament, exclusive to players competing in their domestic leagues, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Zambia finds itself in a tough Group A that includes hosts Kenya, Morocco, Angola, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—a pool widely dubbed the “group of death.”

Nyirenda Bemoans Lost Time, But Remains Optimistic

Chipolopolo head coach Wedson Nyirenda expressed concerns over the team’s disrupted preparations. Speaking to the media, Nyirenda revealed that the squad had four proposed training camps canceled, primarily due to delays associated with the recently held Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Elections.

“We’ve lost a lot of time due to unforeseen circumstances, but I am confident in the local talent available. We will recover,” said Nyirenda.

Despite the setbacks, the coach remains positive that Zambia can still mount a strong challenge in the tournament, given the depth of talent within the country’s local league system.

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Group A: A True Test of Character

Zambia’s placement in Group A guarantees high-stakes action from the outset. Their group-stage opponents are all seasoned CHAN competitors:

• Kenya (hosts, with strong home support)

• Morocco (CHAN 2021 champions)

• Angola (always dangerous in regional tournaments)

• DR Congo (two-time CHAN winners)

Coach Nyirenda acknowledged the group’s difficulty but emphasized that adequate preparation will be the key to overcoming the challenge.

“It’s a tough group, but that’s what big tournaments are all about. We’ll prepare with purpose and intensity,” he said.

CHAN 2025: East Africa Set to Host a Historic Edition

The 2025 edition of CHAN will be the first to be co-hosted by three nations, with matches played across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Zambia will be based in Kenya for the group stages, but may travel depending on knockout round progression.

The final draw was conducted on Thursday in Tanzania, setting the stage for what promises to be the most competitive CHAN edition yet.

The tournament offers a vital platform for locally based players to shine on the international stage and potentially secure professional moves abroad.