Zambia Expected to Field CHAN Squad at 2025 COSAFA Cup in Strategic Push for CHAN and Regional Glory
Record seven-time champions Zambia will be expected to field their locally-based African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad at the 2025 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup, in a move aimed at maximizing preparations ahead of the CHAN tournament set for August.
Chipolopolo, drawn in Group D alongside Comoros and Botswana, enter the tournament, slated for June 4–15 in Bloemfontein, South Africa, with a rich legacy and high expectations. Zambia has lifted the coveted COSAFA Cup more times than any other nation (7), one ahead of rivals Zimbabwe (6), and remains one of the competition’s most consistent forces.
This year’s edition, hosted for the first time in Mangaung, will be staged at two iconic venues: the Free State Stadium, used during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium. The new format guarantees teams the opportunity to play up to five matches, offering an ideal environment for tactical assessments, squad depth evaluation, and match fitness.
Head coach Wedson Nyirenda, who leads the CHAN project, is expected to use the COSAFA Cup as a vital testbed to sharpen his squad ahead of CHAN 2025, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to 30. Zambia qualified automatically for CHAN following Mozambique’s withdrawal and will compete in Group A alongside Kenya, Morocco, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This is a calculated and long-term move,” said a technical football club staff member. “The COSAFA Cup gives us competitive match exposure that mirrors the intensity and style we expect at CHAN. It’s the perfect dress rehearsal.”
The CHAN team’s preparations had previously been disrupted due to election-related administrative challenges within FAZ, limiting their camping time. The COSAFA Cup now presents a golden opportunity to build chemistry, assess tactical structures under pressure, and restore momentum.
Adding further intrigue to this year’s tournament is the debut of Morocco, semi-finalists at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, who headline Group C alongside Madagascar and Eswatini. Their inclusion adds continental flavor and raises the competitive bar of the regional championship.
A successful run in Bloemfontein would not only extend Zambia’s record to eight titles but also lay a solid foundation for a strong CHAN campaign just two months later.
As Chipolopolo prepares to step into the spotlight, the combination of legacy, strategy, and hunger for redemption could script a compelling chapter in Zambia’s football journey.
