By FAZ MEDIA | Bola Yapa Zed | 13 November 2025
PREPS FOR AFCON START NOW-FASHION
Preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations have started now, says Saudi Arabia based midfielder Fashion Sakala.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s FIFA International Friendly match against South Africa, Sakala said the Chipolopolo were wary of the growing reputation of South Africa but would be ready for them.
“Preparations for the AFCON have started today. Every training session for us is important as we prepare. Each player is ready to fight for their position in the team. The friendlies will help us a lot in terms of fitness, but I think we are very much ready,” he says.
The Al Fayha forward says South Africa would provide a good test for Zambia ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next month.
“These games are very important for us, I think they are a good preparation for the Africa Cup and. When you look at South Africa, they have a very good team and have qualified to the World Cup; it will be a very tough game. We are ready to perform,” he says. Sakala says the Chipolopolo were ready to turn a corner despite a dismal world cup qualification campaign.
“I can tell that we have a very good team, even though the past few games we lost, but our team is very good and there are some shuffles, new changes in the technical stuff, but we are very much ready for the game, and the technical staff is very excited for the games,” he says.
“The most important thing is we don’t stop dreaming, it’s very important for us as a nation to keep dreaming until one day we qualify to the World Cup. The world cup qualifiers are gone, and we need to focus on the Africa Cup.”
Sakala has backed the all-local bench to succeed in the new responsibility after the exit of Avram Grant.
“It is a very good thing to be fair. They deserve the chances. We have seen some countries that have appointed their local coaches, and they have done well. So, I think local coaches deserve their chances too and also, they interact with the players very well. They speak our language which makes things easier,” he says.
Sakala is among the 30-member squad that Sichone has summoned for two international friendly matches.
Zambia plays the Bafana Bafana on Saturday in Port Elizabeth at the Nelson Mandela Stadium at 15h00 in an international friendly.
