Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander, Lt Gen Oscar Musitu Nyoni, has congratulated Red Arrows Football Club on qualifying for the Group Stage of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup and urged the Airmen to remain focused and raise their ambitions by targeting a place in the final of the continental competition.
And Lt Gen Nyoni expressed delight that the Republican President and Commander-In-Chief of the Defence Force, Mr Hakainde Hichilema had congratulated him on the team’s achievement and conveyed his pride in what Red Arrows had accomplished on behalf of the country.
He said the recognition from the Head of State added to the significance of the achievement, which has brought pride to the Zambia Air Force and enhanced Zambia’s representation on the continental football stage.
The Commander was speaking yesterday, 24 October 2026, when he received the team at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 21:30 hours following their arrival from Durban, South Africa, where they eliminated South African giants Kaizer Chiefs to secure a historic place in the Group Stage.
Beaming with pride and excitement, Lt Gen Nyoni commended the players for delivering on their promise to win, saying their qualification was a moment worthy of celebration but should also serve as motivation to pursue even greater achievements.
“I expected nothing less than victory and you have brought that victory. Congratulations,” the Commander told the team.
He said his decision to personally receive the players was a fulfilment of his promise which he had made and emphasised that he was a man who lived by his word. Lt Gen Nyoni, who is also Red Arrows Football Club Patron, acknowledged players who had assured him before the match that they would score, expressing gratitude for delivering on their commitments and contributing to the team’s success.
He disclosed that he had closely followed the team’s progress while they were playing in South Africa, demonstrating his personal interest in their continental campaign. Meanwhile in a huge gesture of appreciation and support for the technical bench, Lt Gen Nyoni presented Head Coach Chisi Mbewe with a Toyota Mark X vehicle to facilitate his movement for training sessions and official duties.
The gesture reinforced the Air Force Commander’s commitment to supporting the Club as it prepares for the demands of the group stage as well as the domestic league where the Airmen will be seeking to extend their impressive run.
Meanwhile, Zambia Air Force delegation leader Brig Gen Simon Tembo, who accompanied the team to Durban, expressed confidence in the Club’s ability to build on its achievement, describing Red Arrows as a disciplined and quality side that continues to make the Air Force proud.
Brig Gen Tembo commended the players for their commitment and professionalism and noted that their achievement reflected positively on the institution and its investment in football.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) representative, who served as overal delegation leader, Mr Samuel Mwape, also congratulated Red Arrows on reaching the gryoup Stage and described the qualification as a significant milestone for the Club and Zambian football.
Mr Mwape appealed to the Air Force Commander to continue supporting the team so that it could achieve even greater success and contribute to restoring Zambia’s competitiveness and prominence on the African football stage.
He assured Lt Gen Nyoni that FAZ remained open to collaboration and consultation on matters concerning football development, particularly initiatives that could strengthen Red Arrows’ preparations and improve its prospects of achieving positive results in continental competitions.
The reception was also marked by emotional scenes as supporters gathered to welcome the returning victorious Airmen, celebrating the team’s achievement with dancing and jubilant exchanges.
Among those present was Pastor Peter Makembo, the Chipolololo Soccer Fans Patron, who joined other supporters in expressing delight at the historic qualification, with fans unable to contain their excitement as they celebrated alongside the players.
Red Arrows secured their place in the CAF Confederations Cup Group Stage after overcoming Kaizer Chiefs over two legs, delivering a result that has strengthened the Club’s standing in African football and brought renewed pride to the Zambia Air Force and its supporters.
With the group stage challenge now beckoning, the Airmen will be expected to carry the same discipline, resilience and determination into the next phase of the competition as they seek to translate their historic qualification into an even deeper run on the continent.
