ZAMBIA’S AFCON DREAMS EXPOSE A PAINFUL TRUTH — WE ARE NOT READY!
Kumwesu Opinion || The Chipolopolo dream at the 2025/26 AFCON is fast turning into a harsh footballing reality. After settling for a second consecutive draw against Comoros, Zambia’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages are hanging by a thread and if we are being honest, the journey looks set to end at the group stage.
Credit must be given where it is due. Interim coach Moses Sichone deserves commendation for managing to secure two draws under immense pressure. However, football is not about effort alone; it is about quality, depth, strategy, and execution. That is where Zambia is painfully lacking.
For years, we have lived on the emotional glory of 2012 AFCON success, using nostalgia to mask the glaring reality of today Zambia currently lacks quality footballers capable of competing at the highest level. What we have taken to AFCON is simply not good enough. These players have heart, yes, but heart without excellence is not enough in modern football.
Chipolopolo today looks like a team without identity, without creativity, and without killers in attack. The spark is gone. The fear factor is gone. Opponents no longer respect the badge; they see a struggling side hanging on to hope.
So, where do we go from here?
The answer is painful but necessary: BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.
Zambia needs a complete football reset. We must stop glorifying average performances. We must invest in serious player development, grassroots football, strong youth structures, and a modern football philosophy. The FAZ must take accountability. Coaches must be given proper support. Players must be pushed to compete in elite environments. Sentiment must give way to performance.
Chipolopolo is not finished but as things stand, we are not a continental powerhouse. We are rebuilding, and rebuilding requires honesty.
The sooner we accept that, the sooner we can begin to rise again.
KUMWESU OPINION ARTICLE ©️ KUMWESU | December 27, 2025
You can’t expect any better than what you’re getting. Can you really expect a very competitive team with a FAZ that has gone to raise dead wood to run soccer? They are all just interested in getting pay cheques! Did anyone really expect any better results from the current collective of administrators? It’s time get serious in all areas, let’s not play stupid politics in everything we do!
Waste of resources. The Chipolopolo should not be paid any money. They are a useless lot. They certainly did not represent me. I was a better player than anyone of them during my youth…only I chose education and I have no regrets. These idiots could not even sing the National Anthem. What kind of preparation is that? Before any training session and after the session players must sing the National Anthem. Let’s be serious for once.
Actually, next week when they come back, each one of them must be made to publicly sing all stanza of the National Anthem (Acapella Version), starting from the coach, the newly appointed so called Technical Advisor, the Skipper, players and substitutes, the team Doctor and the kit man too. They have brought pain and embarrassment to the country. They are not patriot.
These current players are below par in everything. They are patriotic, no determination, no eagerness to win. In short, they have embarrassed our beloved nation. The entire team must be dimantled.