Karim wary of Zambia strength in upcoming Afcon qualifier

Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim has expressed that Zambia remains a strong squad despite their recent run of defeats as the two nations prepare to do battle in their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Group G at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday night.

Kick-off is at 9:00pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The Copper Bullets head into their next encounter on the back of six consecutive defeats, which includes a 2-0 loss against Ivory Coast in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match last Friday.

While Zambia were unable to secure any points last time out, the Leone Stars fired blanks in a 0-0 draw with Chad in their most recent Afcon qualifier that took place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium last week.

WHAT WAS SAID

Zambia head coach Avram Grant mentioned that he is pleased with his side’s fighting spirit despite losing to the Ivorians last week.

“We need to take points and we need to win the next game (against Sierra Leone). We started well by the performance (in the Ivory Coast game), but we lost against a very good team,” Grant said.

“But the players showed a lot of commitment, a lot of fighting spirit, which I was very happy from this.”

With their next Afcon qualifying assignment in full view, Sierra Leone mentor Amidu Karim mentioned that his side will leave no stones unturned despite Zambia’s recent slump in form.

“But football in Africa, I don’t predict it. We know Chipolopolo and Zambia are a very strong team so we are well prepared to play them,” Karim said.

“I am very optimistic about every match that I play. No two matches are the same, every match has a different approach. Yes, we know Zambia lost their last match (against Ivory Coast) but we know it’s a very strong team.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first meeting between Zambia and Sierra Leone.