Junior Chipolopolo Begin AFCON Preps with Win Over Ghana, Sipho Confident Ahead of Tourney

Zambia U-20 assistant coach Sipho Mumbi says the team has set the pace for a good Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign following their 2–1 win over Ghana in an international friendly.

The Junior Chipolopolo have set base in Egypt, where they are set to take part in the 2025 AFCON. They played their first preparatory match on Tuesday and carried the day.

Zambia took the lead in the 21st minute through Pascal Phiri before Ghana levelled matters in the 54th minute. The junior Chipolopolo restored the lead in the 90th minute thanks to a David Simukonda drive from outside the box.

“Very competitive, friendly game,” Mumbi said in an interview. “I think our boys accounted for themselves very well and I think going forward we look forward to the same energy and spirit.”

Zambia is in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. The team will play its first game against Sierra Leone on Sunday.

“We need to be humble; we need to maintain the same spirit; we need to maintain the same energy. I think going forward, we are going to work as a team, as a unit, and that is going to help us,” Mumbi said.

Zambia will be hoping to improve on their record of 2023, when they finished bottom of the group with one point.

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