Togo head coach Patrice Neveu says his side have travelled to Zambia with one clear objective — to secure a result — despite acknowledging the quality, history and potential of the Chipolopolo ahead of Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group I qualifier.
The Hawks arrive in Ndola with confidence after opening their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Burundi on Friday. That result handed Togo an important three points and provided encouragement for a team Neveu describes as being in the process of rebuilding.
Zambia, meanwhile, will be looking to respond after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Algeria in their opening Group I fixture. The Chipolopolo will therefore be under pressure to collect maximum points on home soil when the two sides meet at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
For Neveu, the victory over Burundi has given his players an important psychological boost heading into what he expects to be a significantly more difficult assignment.
“We are pleased to have started this first elimination phase with a victory at home. It certainly gives my team confidence,” Neveu told reporters.
The French coach is nevertheless fully aware of the challenge awaiting his team in Ndola. He recognises Zambia’s reputation within African football and expects the Chipolopolo to provide a difficult test, particularly on home soil.
“We know we are rebuilding and that we are coming to play here in Zambia, in a country that is renowned for its football. We know it will be a difficult match to play,” he said.
Despite that respect, Neveu made it clear that Togo have not travelled to Zambia simply to fulfil a fixture. The Hawks want to return home with another positive result and build on their opening victory over Burundi.
“We came here with ambition. We made the trip to get a result.”
Neveu also highlighted Zambia’s history on the continental stage, specifically recalling the Chipolopolo’s memorable 2012 Africa Cup of Nations triumph under French coach Hervé Renard.
The Togo coach said his familiarity with Zambia’s footballing journey means he understands the quality that exists within the current squad and the potential the country possesses.
“I know the quality of your squad well. My friend Hervé Renard was there in 2012 and you were African champions. So I know the team’s journey well and I know its potential well,” Neveu said.
That knowledge has not changed Togo’s approach. While the visitors will respect Zambia, Neveu insists his players will travel with the belief that they can take something from the match.
“We have great respect for the value of your team, but of course, as you understand, we made the trip to get a result,” he added.
Tuesday’s match will also bring back personal memories for Neveu, who has previously faced Zambia in a major African tournament.
The Frenchman was in charge of Guinea when they met Zambia at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, with Guinea recording a 2-1 victory in that encounter.
Neveu recalled that result but was careful not to suggest that historical meetings would determine what happens in Ndola.
“I’ve played them, I even beat them in 2006 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt,” Neveu recalled.
The coach pointed out that previous results cannot guarantee what happens in a new match, regardless of which side won past encounters.
“But having beaten them doesn’t mean I’m going to beat them tomorrow. And since they’ve beaten us three times, it doesn’t mean they’re going to beat us. The match will tell.”
That approach reflects the importance Neveu places on what happens on the pitch rather than relying on historical records. His Togo side enter the match with confidence from their opening victory, while Zambia will be looking to recover from their setback in Algeria.
The Togo coach also expects the contest to be physically demanding. He believes Zambia will attempt to impose themselves through the physical side of the game, but his team must respond without abandoning its own footballing identity.
“They will try to impose a physical challenge on us, and we will have to respond with our style of football,” he said.
The tactical battle will therefore be an important feature of Tuesday’s encounter. Zambia will be looking to use home advantage to control the game and turn their attacking opportunities into goals, while Togo will attempt to maintain the confidence generated by their victory over Burundi.
The stakes are significant for both teams. Togo can strengthen their position in Group I by following up their opening victory with another positive result, while Zambia need to respond after beginning their qualifying campaign with a defeat.
For the Chipolopolo, the match presents an opportunity to put the Algeria result behind them and begin building momentum in the race for the 2027 AFCON. For Togo, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that their victory over Burundi was the beginning of a strong qualifying campaign rather than an isolated result.
The two teams will meet at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium at 18:00 CAT on Tuesday, with both sides entering the contest with clear objectives.
Neveu’s message is already clear: Togo respect Zambia, but they have not travelled to Ndola simply to defend. The Hawks believe they can compete and are targeting a result.
Zambia, meanwhile, will hope the support of the home crowd and the urgency created by their opening-day defeat can help the Chipolopolo secure their first points of the campaign.
Tickets for the match are available through the FAZ TechPay App on the Google Play Store for Android users, while supporters using Android and iOS devices can also purchase tickets online. Tickets are additionally available from official FAZ sales agents in Ndola.
With both teams entering the fixture with something to prove, Tuesday’s encounter promises to be an important early chapter in the Group I qualifying race.
