Mashata urges belief as Zambia begin AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign

Zambia were fourth in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 standings, taking two points from three matches. They recorded no wins, two draws and one defeat, scoring once and conceding four goals.

As the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign approaches, Golden Mashata has urged Zambia’s players and supporters to believe they can progress from a difficult Group I. The Green Buffaloes midfielder is part of George Lwandamina’s 28-man locally based squad preparing for the qualifiers.

Zambia will face Algeria, Togo and Burundi in the group. Their campaign begins away to Algeria on 25 September, followed by a home match against Togo in Ndola four days later. Mashata’s view is that the team must treat every fixture seriously and carry out the coaching staff’s instructions.

The Chipolopolo enter the preparations after a difficult run of results. They lost 5-0 to Argentina, fell 3-0 to Morocco, drew 0-0 with Comoros and 1-1 away to Mali, before a 2-0 defeat at Congo DR. The sequence has left Zambia without a win in their last five matches.

Mashata believes the competition inside the camp can help improve the team before the overseas-based players join the final phase. He said receiving a national-team call-up gives local players motivation, but that earning a place in the final squad will demand more work.

The midfielder also sees the fight for positions as an important part of Lwandamina’s assessment. He has called on supporters to remain behind the team, saying the players are determined to repay that faith through their performances as Zambia begin their qualifying campaign.