Zambia Qualifies For CHAN After Mozambique Withdrawal

A man places a burning tire into a barricade in a street of Maputo during a post-election protest, Mozambique, 06 December 2024. In recent weeks, supporters of former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who is currently in exile, have taken to the streets of the Mozambican capital to challenge the results of the disputed general election held in October 2024. EPA/LUISA NHANTUMBO

Zambia has qualified to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament after Mozambique withdrew from the qualifiers, due to post-election violence.

The team managed by Wedson Nyirenda had been camping in Lusaka ahead of the first leg match in Maputo, Mozambique, on December 21.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had written to FAZ notifying them of their qualification.

“Following the withdrawal of Mozambique from the CHAN 2024 qualifiers, please be informed that Zambia has qualified directly for the final tournament of CHAN 2024,” says Reuben Kamanga FAZ Secretary General, quoting correspondence from CAF.

“While we would have loved to qualify by playing the two matches, we are still happy that our team will join many others that have qualified for CAF tournaments next year.”

According to Kamanga, the team will now concentrate on getting ready for the competition.

“For now, we will encourage the technical bench to work a program for preparations so that we can be ready by the time we head to East Africa. Inevitably, the team will play a few friendly matches as part of preparations for the CHAN,” he said.

Three East African nations namely, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will host the 2025 CHAN.

Mike Sichula December 15, 2024

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With over 10 years of experience in the media and numerous media honours, Mike Sichula is a journalist from Zambia who specialises in sports coverage in Southern Africa and beyond. He was once a head coach of a local team in the amateur league.