ZAMBIA will on January 15, 2025 know their group stage opponents for the 19-team Total Energies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 finals as the draw is conducted in Kenya.

Former Chipolopolo Coach, Aggrey Chiyangi, says the team should aim to qualify for the semifinals of the competition.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Chiyangi noted that the CHAN team’s qualification for the tournament is an indication of their consistent performance, despite Mozambique pulling out of the qualifiers.

He added that most of the players selected for the national team have been active in the league, with some having international experience, despite the inclusion of younger players.

Chiyangi emphasised that the team should be prepared to face the toughest teams in Africa, stressing that there are no weak opponents in the tournament.

He called for proper team preparations to match the demands of the competition and expressed confidence that the team would perform well.

Football Analyst, Nsama Chisupa, expressed similar sentiments, stating that he expects the team to be ready and motivated to face any opponents in the CHAN tournament.

Chisupa is optimistic that the team, under the tutelage of Wedson Nyirenda, will perform well in the tournament, given the coach’s experience and the balance of players selected for the squad.

He urged soccer fans to rally behind the team, composed entirely of local players, if they are to meet the fans’ expectations.

The much-anticipated tournament, which is reserved for African footballers playing in their domestic leagues, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1st to 28th, 2025.