Chipolopolo seek to revive AFCON hopes against Togo

The Zambia national football team faces a critical juncture in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign as they prepare to host Togo at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Interim head coach George Lwandamina has emphasized the absolute necessity of securing a victory on home soil following a bruising 3-1 defeat to group heavyweights Algeria in their opening fixture in Tizi Ouzou. With the qualifiers moving at a rapid pace, the Copper Bullets understand that any further slip-ups could severely jeopardize their prospects of reaching the continental tournament. Lwandamina's side showed flashes of resilience during their opening match, with Saudi-based forward Fashion Sakala briefly drawing Zambia level before defensive lapses and unfortunate injuries allowed the Desert Foxes to pull away. Speaking ahead of Tuesday's encounter, Lwandamina stressed that managing home advantage is paramount for a youthful squad transitioning through a rebuilding phase. The technical bench has spent the intervening days psyching up the players and ironing out structural flaws in the midfield and defensive transitions that were exposed in North Africa. Togo arrives in Ndola carrying momentum after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burundi in their opening Group I fixture. The Hawks sit comfortably alongside Algeria at the top of the group standings, meaning that a positive result against Zambia would further cement their early dominance. For the Chipolopolo, however, dropping points at home is simply not an option if they wish to overhaul their opponents and claim one of the coveted qualification spots for the tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The absence of key personnel—including midfielder Kings Kangwa, who is serving a suspension carried over from the previous AFCON tournament—has forced Lwandamina to rely on a blend of experienced campaigners like captain Patson Daka and a vibrant core of domestic league talent. The inclusion o