Chipolopolo Boys midfielder Kings Kangwa is set to miss Zambia’s back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria and Togo as he continues to serve a suspension imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Panathinaikos midfielder is serving a four-match ban following an incident involving match officials during Zambia’s final group-stage match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco. Kangwa was shown a red card in additional time after being substituted for Given Kalusa in the 79th minute, meaning some supporters may have missed the incident.
CAF subsequently extended the suspension to four matches, with Kangwa beginning to serve the ban during Zambia’s March international programme when the Chipolopolo suffered a 5-0 defeat to Argentina.
Kangwa has already served part of the suspension but remains unavailable for Zambia’s next two AFCON qualifiers against Algeria and Togo. He will then have one further match remaining on his ban before becoming eligible to return to international action.
His absence will be a setback for the Chipolopolo as they prepare for an important double-header in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. Zambia will travel to Algeria on 25 September before hosting Togo on 29 September at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Chipolopolo are in Group I alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi, with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Zambia will now have to navigate the two crucial qualifiers without Kangwa as the team looks to strengthen its position in the race for a place at the continental finals.
