Zambia’s qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations suffered a setback after the national team surrendered a late lead to draw 1-1 with Burundi. The match, played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, marked the third fixture for both sides in Group I. According to the Lusaka Times, the result leaves Zambia with four points from three matches, a record defined by one defeat, one victory, and this latest draw. The team now faces a midway point in their qualifying journey with crucial points still to be secured.
The first half concluded without any goals, despite Burundi showing greater dominance in the opening forty-five minutes. The Zambian side, known as the Chipolopolo, finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute through Edward Chilufya. His low shot, assisted by Albert Kangwanda, beat Burundi goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana and sparked celebrations among the home supporters. However, the Lusaka Times reported that this joy was short-lived. With eight minutes remaining in the contest, Burundi capitalized on a lapse in concentration to equalize, effectively silencing the stadium.
Zambia’s head coach, George Lwandamina, expressed deep disappointment following the match. In a post-game briefing, he attributed the dropped points to a lack of coordination and basic errors. "It is a very disappointing result," Lwandamina told the Lusaka Times. He noted that the team failed to replicate their training performance, citing rushed decisions and injuries as factors that contributed to their collapse in the second half. He emphasized that ball control was a significant challenge throughout the game.
Burundi’s coach, Patrick Sangwa, offered a contrasting perspective, praising his team’s resilience. He stated that while they expected a tough challenge, his players had executed their game plan effectively. "As expected, we knew we would face a tough game," Sangwa said, according to the Lusaka Times. He confirmed that his team would now focus on preparing for the return leg in Bujumbura on November 17.
Despite the setback, Lwandamina remains hopeful that his squad can recover in the upcoming fixture. He described the draw as a bad day rather than a systemic failure, expressing confidence that the players would bounce back. Meanwhile, Group I leaders Algeria, also on four points, were scheduled to face Togo at the time of reporting. Burundi now sits on two points, while Zambia must improve their performance to maintain their qualification prospects.