Zambia national team assistant coach Moses Sichone has made it clear that no player is assured of a place in the final Chipolopolo squad for the upcoming 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to kick off this weekend.
With Zambia drawn in a competitive Group A alongside hosts Kenya, Morocco, DR Congo, and Angola, the team has ramped up preparations in Lusaka under the watchful eye of the technical bench. The CHAN tournament, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, concludes on August 30.
Speaking to the media, Sichone highlighted the steady improvement in the players’ physical fitness, despite most of them returning from off-season breaks.
“We have seen a lot of improvement. It’s not easy since we are aware that the guys are just coming back from their preparations [preseason], but we are positive, looking at everyday improvement,” he said.
The former Chipolopolo defender was quick to stress that selection for the final squad will be based purely on merit and performance in camp.
“The competition is there. Ever since we started training, we had to tell the guys that it’s not an obvious thing—everyone has to fight for the position, and everyone is geared, fighting for his position,” Sichone added.
CHAN a Stepping Stone to AFCON Selection
Sichone also reiterated the significance of CHAN as a platform for local players to break into the senior national team setup for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for later this year.
“We are taking this CHAN very seriously, and one of the guys that maybe might do well during this tournament also stands the chance to be part of the AFCON,” he stated.
While Zambia has yet to lift the CHAN trophy, Sichone believes the current group has the potential to make history.
“Of course, Zambia has never won this tournament, so, we are doing everything to make sure that maybe we might be able to bring the trophy back home,” he said.
Focused on Competition, Not Just Participation
The assistant coach emphasized that the team’s goal is to compete at the highest level and not merely to make up the numbers.
“The first important thing is the guys to know why are we here and why are we going there for. We are here to prepare adequately, mentally and also physically. We are going there not only to go and participate, but to compete,” Sichone concluded.
As the tournament edges closer, the battle for spots in the final squad continues to intensify, with players aiming to make a mark and possibly book a place on the AFCON-bound plane.
