By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 4th December 2025
Chipolopolo Set to Depart on December 9 for Final Phase of AFCON Readiness
The Zambia national team will set up camp in Spain as preparations intensify ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Sources within the Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk confirm that the Chipolopolo will leave for Spain on December 9, where they are expected to fine-tune their squad before the tournament kicks off.
During the previous international window, Zambia played friendlies against South Africa and Angola, suffering 3-1 and 3-2 defeats respectively. The Spain camp is expected to bring more structure to the team’s tactical approach, with closed-door friendly matches lined up to help the technical bench assess combinations and overall readiness. This phase will also give head coach Moses Sichone valuable time to finalise the squad.
Zambia is drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros. The Chipolopolo will open their AFCON 2025 campaign on December 22 against Mali, a match that could set the tone for the group. Coach Sichone is scheduled to announce the final squad soon, following the initial 55-member provisional list submitted earlier this week.
The Chipolopolo booked their spot at the continental showpiece by topping Group G during the qualifiers, finishing above defending champions Ivory Coast. Zambia’s decisive 1-0 win over the Elephants—secured by a Kennedy Musonda goal—proved crucial in sealing qualification. Over the qualification run, Zambia delivered a solid defensive display, registering four clean sheets, four wins, one draw, and one defeat to accumulate 13 points, narrowly edging Ivory Coast who finished on 12.
With Spain providing a high-performance environment, the Chipolopolo will be looking to sharpen key tactical areas, rebuild confidence, and stabilise the squad ahead of their opening fixture. The upcoming camp represents one of the final opportunities for the technical bench to address weaknesses exposed during recent matches and prepare the team to compete strongly on the continental stage.
Conclusion
Zambia’s decision to camp in Spain marks a crucial step in their AFCON 2025 journey, offering the team an ideal environment to refine tactics and enhance cohesion. With a competitive group awaiting them in Morocco, the Chipolopolo will aim to maximise this final preparation window as they seek to make a strong statement at the tournament.
