Chipolopolo secures September dates against Libya and Mali
Chipolopolo Zambia’s September-friendly itinerary is confirmed, and they will head to Libya this month to play in a three-nations tournament.
Football Association of Zambia spokesperson Sydney Mungala told FARPost that Chipolopolo will face Mali and hosts Libya in the friendly tournament in Benghazi.
The September dates are part of the Libya Football Federations’ Benghazi Cup.
Chipolopolo will kick off the Benghazi Cup against Libya on September 21.
Zambia will close the three-team friendly tournament on September 24 against Mali.
This will be Chipolopolo and Libya’s first meeting since drawing 2-2 at the 2012 AFCON in a Group A match as Zambia embarked on their maiden continental title triumph at the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea finals.
Zambia will return to Libya for the first time since 2010, when they interestingly met in a 2012 AFCON Group C qualifier.
Libya beat Zambia 1-0 in Tripoli on October 10, 2010, which came two years after drawing 2-2 there in another friendly in what was ex-Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard’s Chipolopolo debut on May 22, 2008.
Historic World Cup for Africa
Meanwhile, Africa will have five indigenous coaches managing the continent’s five representatives at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 following the Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) official confirmation on Wednesday that Walid Regragui is the new Atlas Lions coach.
The 46-year-old ex-Morocco defender, who won a silver medal as a player at AFCON 2004, replaces veteran Franco-Bosnian coach Vahid Halihodzic who parted ways with the FRMF on August 11.
Regragui comes with a reputation after winning a double with Wydad Casablanca last season.
He led Wydad to the 2021/2022 Moroccan championship and the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League.
It was Regragui’s second Moroccan title after guiding FUS Rabat to the domestic championship in the 2015/2016 season.
Regragui will be assistant by fellow former Moroccan internationals, midfielders Gharib Amzine and Rachid Benmahmoud.
The Atlas Lions job is not new to Regragui after serving as an assistant coach under Rachid Taoussi from 2012-2013.
He completes Africa’s historic five in Qatar, including Aliou Cisse, who led Senegal to the Qatar finals and their debut AFCON title.
Cameroon will be under the helm of World Cup veteran Rigobert Song, Jalel Kadri will manage Tunisia, and Otto Addo will oversee the Black Stars Ghana campaign.