Zambia’s senior men’s national team heads into a crucial World Cup qualifier against Tanzania with mounting pressure to deliver. Having failed to record a single win in 2025, optimism has been fading among fans — but midfielder Kelvin Kampamba believes the tide is about to turn. Speaking ahead of the midweek showdown in Zanzibar, the Chipolopolo star openly acknowledged the team’s struggles but insisted that renewed spirit and chemistry can reignite their campaign.
Kampamba Calls for Mental Reset as Winless Run Lingers
Kampamba did not shy away from hard truths. He admitted that Zambia’s performances and results in 2025 have been “very negative,” stressing that the players themselves feel the weight of expectation from the nation. With their last win dating back to November 2024 against Sierra Leone, Zambia now finds itself stuck in a worrying drought that has affected both confidence and momentum. However, the midfielder emphasized the need for fighting spirit when facing Tanzania — the very team that previously defeated Zambia at home.
The team jetted out to Zanzibar with one mission — to restore pride and belief. Kampamba assured fans that progress is being made behind the scenes, revealing that the squad is building stronger chemistry and cohesion. “We just need to work on scoring and teamwork,” he said, pointing to the lack of goals as a major stumbling block in recent fixtures.
AfCON Preparation Also in Sight
Beyond World Cup qualification, Kampamba highlighted that these upcoming fixtures — against Tanzania and Niger — will also serve as dress rehearsals for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His expectations are bold: a target of at least a semi-final finish, with even the possibility of a finals push if momentum is rediscovered.
The Levy Mwanawasa Stadium awaits Niger next, but first — Zanzibar must be conquered. Zambia may be winless in 2025, but the message from Kampamba is clear: this is the moment to turn the corner.
