‘We’re ready for Bafana!’ – Sakala fires warning as Zambia gear up for AFCON showdown

Zambia's Sakala

Cape Town – Zambia national team forward Fashion Sakala says the Chipolopolo are well-prepared for Saturday’s FIFA international friendly against South Africa, even as they remain mindful of Bafana Bafana’s growing reputation.

The Al Fayha striker views the clash as a key test for Zambia ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to kick off in Morocco this December.

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The Zambian squad has already begun its AFCON preparations, with upcoming fixtures seen as crucial opportunities to fine-tune their form, reported Pan-Africa Football.

“Preparations for the AFCON have started today. Every training session for us is important as we prepare. Each player is ready to fight for their position in the team. The friendlies will help us a lot in terms of fitness, but I think we are very much ready.

“These games are very important for us. I think they are good preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations. When you look at South Africa, they have a very good team and have qualified to the World Cup; it will be a very tough game. We are ready to perform,” Sakala told FAZ Media.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Sakala expressed strong confidence in his national team, despite their recent losses, according to Soccer Laduma.

“I can tell that we have a very good team, even though the past few games we lost, but our team is very good and there are some shuffles, new changes in the technical stuff, but we are very much ready for the game, and the technical staff is very excited for the games.

“The most important thing is we don’t stop dreaming, it’s very important for us as a nation to keep dreaming until one day we qualify to the World Cup. The world cup qualifiers are gone, and we need to focus on the Africa Cup,” said Sakala.

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Bafana Bafana are gearing up for the upcoming tournament in style, with a recent post on X showing players and staff being fitted for sharp, custom-made suits.

Head coach Hugo Broos and his squad took part in a suit-fitting session this week — a sleek off-field preparation that adds a touch of class to their campaign on Africa’s biggest football stage.

The stylish session highlights the team’s growing sense of unity and professionalism as they fine-tune every aspect of their tournament readiness.

In a video shared by SABC Sport journalist Velile Mnyandu, Johannesburg-based tailor Thabo Komme of Tlotlo & Co. Luxury Tailoring is seen taking striker Evidence Makgopa’s measurements before attending to the team’s fitness and conditioning coach, Kopano Melesi.

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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi

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