The Zambia U23 National Team has arrived safely back home from Burkina Faso. The team, which left Ouagadougou at 01h30 local time, touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka at exactly 10h30 aboard a chartered flight provided by Government.
The Junior Chipolopolo lost 1-0 to the West Africans at Stade du 4 Aoรปt in the first leg of the U23 AFCON qualifiers on Wednesday. The team will, however, remain in camp as they prepare for Sunday’s crucial return leg at Heroes Stadium.
Head Coach Chisi Mbewe is optimistic that playing at home will give his team an advantage as they seek to overturn the deficit.
“We will be playing in front of our home fans, so we have everything in our hands to make or break. For us, we have to pick it up from where we left off in Burkina Faso. The boys accounted themselves very well in both halves and it’s unfortunate our efforts were not rewarded,” Mbewe said.
“Now we have our final chance to make amends and we will do whatever it takes to grind out a positive result.”
Team captain Humphrey Bwembya said the 1-0 defeat was not the result the players wanted after giving their best in Ouagadougou. “However painful that loss was, the team feels wounded and will go for them,” Bwembya declared.
The Junior Chipolopolo will be looking to overturn the deficit when the two sides meet in the return leg at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on November 15, 2026, at 15h00.
Tickets for the match are already on sale at all Shoprite outlets across the country. The North and South Wings are priced at K50, East Wing at K100, West Wing at K250 and VIP at K300.
