Former Zambia international and CAF Champions League winner Hichani Himoonde has offered insight into why Zambian clubs have consistently struggled to advance beyond the preliminary stages of CAF Interclub competitions in recent years
Himoonde, who had a successful career on the continent with the likes of TP Mazembe in DR Congo and Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, attributes the underwhelming performances to a lack of consistency, poor preparation, and unnecessary squad overhauls ahead of crucial matches.
“Well, I think firstly, it’s the lack of consistency for clubs competing in the competition,” Himoonde told BolaNews in an interview. “Secondly, teams that qualify for the preliminary stages tend to make a lot of changes to the squads that got them there. Instead of making a few key additions to strengthen specific areas, they disrupt the entire team.”
Himoonde said that without thorough preparations and high-profile friendlies, it becomes difficult for clubs to properly assess their squad’s weaknesses before facing elite African opposition.
“If you have a strong team but lack high-profile friendlies, it becomes difficult to fully know the team’s weaknesses. Good preparation is everything,” he emphasized.
On the prospects for the 2025/26 CAF Interclub competitions, where Power Dynamos will represent Zambia in the CAF Champions League and ZESCO United in the CAF Confederation Cup, Himoonde, who featured for both teams, offered practical advice to both sides.
“Both teams, firstly, have to strengthen their squads by adding players who have experience in continental competitions and can deliver under pressure,” he advised. “Secondly, they need to ensure they have adequate preparations, including high-profile friendlies, so they can know how the team fares against tougher opposition.”
Zanaco Football Club were the last Zambian club to reach the group stages of a CAF Interclub competition, in the 2021/22 Confederation Cup.
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