Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium will remain Chipolopolo’s fortress after FAZ’s late attempt to shift the crucial AFCON qualifier against Burundi to Lusaka collapsed on conditional approval deadlines. FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya confirmed that Zambia will host…

Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium will remain Chipolopolo’s fortress after FAZ’s late attempt to shift the crucial AFCON qualifier against Burundi to Lusaka collapsed on conditional approval deadlines.

FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya confirmed that Zambia will host Burundi in Ndola on 13 November, dashing hopes of an immediate return to the capital Lusaka.

The decision comes as a blow to Lusaka fans who have been starved of senior national team action, with Ndola retaining its grip on Chipolopolo fixtures.

However, in a major boost for Lusaka, CAF has approved the return of international football to National Heroes Stadium, with the Egypt 2027 U-23 AFCON qualifier against Burkina Faso set for 15 November.

Chakatazya said the U-23 fixture marks the reopening of Lusaka to international matches.

“I wish to confirm that the U-23 home match will be held in Lusaka after receiving approval from CAF. We are happy that the U-23 match opens the way to the return of international matches to Lusaka,” he said.

“On the Chipolopolo, we were unable to secure the change of venue given the tight deadlines to fulfil the conditional approval.”

He said FAZ still plans to bring Chipolopolo back to Lusaka in the near future.

With preparations in high gear, Chakatazya has challenged both teams to collect maximum points and appealed to fans to buy tickets via Computicket to make home advantage count.

Zambia faces a tight schedule – the U-23s travel to Ouagadougou on 11 November before hosting Burkina Faso four days later in Lusaka, while Chipolopolo host Burundi on 13 November before the return leg in Bujumbura.

The stakes are high. Fourteen nations will progress from the second round to the decisive third round, where seven winners will join hosts Egypt at the U-23 AFCON – the gateway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.