Zambia Eliminated from COSAFA 2024
The seven-time COSAFA champions, Zambia, failed to defend their title in the 23rd edition of the tournament. Zambia’s journey was cut short after losing all three group stage matches without scoring a single goal. They were defeated 2-0 by Kenya, 2-0 by Zimbabwe, and 1-0 by Comoros. The team also faced disciplinary issues, ending the campaign with two red cards.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) had limited time to organize and prepare the team. The tournament dates were announced on June 13, and the draws were conducted on June 14, leaving only a week for preparation.
Although the best players from the Zambian Super League were selected, their performance did not meet expectations. The local technical bench, led by Coach Chisi Mbewe, gave opportunities to local players, but the combinations and tactics failed to deliver results.
Despite having the best goalkeeper of the season, the best coach of the year, and the youngest player of the season, the team failed to inspire and secure victories. The poor showing raises questions about the current standard of Zambian football, as reflected in the latest FIFA rankings.
Zambia 0-2 Kenya: Zambia’s first match against guest nation Kenya ended in a disappointing defeat.
Zambia 0-2 Zimbabwe: The loss to Zimbabwe marked the end of Zambia’s hopes of advancing to the next stage.
Zambia 0-1 Comoros: In a formality game, Zambia lost to Comoros, concluding their campaign without a single point or goal.
Kenya emerged victorious in their final group match, beating Zimbabwe 2-0 at Isaac Wolfson Stadium
and Comoros progressed to the knockout stages alongside Kenya.
The early exit of Zambia, along with other Southern African powerhouses like South Africa and Zimbabwe, highlights the competitive nature of the tournament and the need for better preparation and strategic planning. The blame placed on FAZ for the lack of adequate preparation time is valid, but it also emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies and robust team management.
Moving forward, Zambia must address these issues and work on improving the standard of our football to compete more effectively on both regional and international stages. The current administration, which has previously led Zambia to three COSAFA Cup victories, must reevaluate their approach and ensure the team is better prepared for future competitions.
