Zambia are all set to kick off their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 journey today Thursday with a crucial match against the two-time champions, DR Congo, at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
The Chipolopolo are eager to make a fantastic start with hopes of clinching their first CHAN title, aiming to surpass their best finish of third place back in 2009.
Head coach Avram Grant, known for his impressive track record with clubs like Chelsea and the Ghana national team, is focusing on building a strong foundation for the senior national team while keeping a keen eye on this tournament.
DR Congo Head Coach Otis Ngoma.
“Preparations have gone really well, and we’re genuinely looking forward to the first game,” Grant shared after the team’s final training session.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for every player to showcase their talent. Our main focus isn’t overly on our opponents; instead, we’re concentrating on maintaining our shape and highlighting our strengths. We want to cultivate that winning mentality!”
On the other side, DR Congo is feeling the heat after their opening match resulted in a 1-0 loss to hosts Kenya. The Leopards are determined to turn things around against a fresh Zambian side that just arrived in Nairobi a few days ago. Coach Otis Ngoma has emphasized the need for his team to bounce back.
“We missed a lot of chances in the first game, and we have to come back strong. We’re not looking for excuses,” Ngoma said. “We need to sharpen our finishing skills. We created numerous opportunities but couldn’t convert them.”
Striker Jephte Kitambala remains optimistic despite the early setback. He believes the team can recover and is excited about the challenge ahead.
“We know we must win to stay in contention. While we didn’t get everything right in the first match, we’re ready to make it right,” Kitambala remarked.
“There’s no pressure on us; we just want to go out there and show what we can do!”
As both teams step onto the field, it’s set to be a thrilling clash of styles and tactics. Zambia will lean on structure and confidence, while DR Congo aims to bring intensity and urgency to the game. The stage is perfectly set for a captivating encounter as both sides share a common goal: to secure a victory!
