Zambia is the last country to arrive for 2024 African Nations Championships (2024 Chan) after landing in Nairobi late on Saturday night.
The Chipolopolo are in Group A with tournament co-hosts Kenya, Chan 2011 runners-up Angola, and the double Chan champions pair of DR Congo and Morocco.
Kenya is co-hosting the tournament with Tanzania and Uganda. The tournament commenced on Saturday with Tanzania registering a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the opening match played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Zambia, who finished third in the tournament's inaugural edition held in Cote d'Ivoire in 2009, had the luxury of arriving late since they do not play their first match of the tournament until Thursday, August 7, when they face DR Congo at the Nyayo National Stadium in a 4pm kick-off.
Football fans arrive at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on August 3,2025 ahead of Group A match between Kenya and DR Congo.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat| Nation Media Group
Group A matches kick off on Sunday with Kenya taking on DR Congo at Kasarani at 3pm. Angola vs Morocco will follow at 6pm in a match that will be played at Nyayo.
Zambia were welcomed in the country by jubilant fans comprising their advance party, Zambian High Commission officials, and Zambians living in Kenya.
However, the Zambian Head of Delegation, the Vice President of the Football Association of Zambia, Mutale Ng'andu, expressed confidence in Chipolopolo performing well at Chan 2024, a competition he reckons will abound with excitement.
"We knew about this tournament for long and we have been preparing well. We are excited to be here and we are ready to compete," Ng'andu said.
Ng'andu also stated that they plan to take advantage of having four days to prepare for their first match of the competition.
Football fans arrive at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on August 3,2025 ahead of Group A match between Kenya and DR Congo.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat| Nation Media Group
"Playing on Thursday gives us an advantage. We get to watch our opponents play tomorrow and even though the weather in Nairobi is similar to that in Zambia, we have more time to acclimatise and learn local culture."
Zambia will be making their fifth appearance at Chan. They have never lost a match at the group stages at Chan and will be looking to defend their record 12-match unbeaten run in Chan group matches
