Albert Kangwanda: Zambia versus Argentina ‘good boost to our squad’

Zambia national team winger Albert Kangwanda says playing against top Argentina players will be a great motivation for the Zambian team to do better.

The Chipolopolo secured a friendly against World champions Argentina during the upcoming FIFA international break in Buenos Aires.

CHIPOLOPOLO IN TITANIC FIFA WINDOW CLASH! #WeAreChipolopolo, #Argentina, #FIFAWindow pic.twitter.com/j7mV5PziZB

— FAZ (@FAZFootball) March 21, 2026

Acting FAZ General Secretary Iva Lengwe confirmed the match will be played at the iconic La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Kangwanda, who is part of the 23-member Zambian squad that will face world champions Argentina in Buenos Aires, said the game will be a huge boost to the squad to show their best version on the big stage.

‘Individually it is morale booster’

“It means a lot. Individually it is a morale booster because you are playing the likes of your idols. So, it gives you that morale as a player to continue working hard and open chances as well in your careers,” the Red Arrows star, who has netted 11 goals so far this season, told FAZ Media.

“It will motivate us a lot because we are playing the world champions. And, you know, playing in an obviously huge atmosphere, which is not compared to our local leagues. So, it’s a good boost for everyone.”

Kangwanda added: “And it is obviously going to help us going forward. Messi, yeah. So, looking forward to, you know, playing against Messi. The likes of Alvarez, this player from Tottenham Romero (Christian), you know, yeah, those players.

“It is actually something, the people that we watch on TV, then, you know, having to share the same field is obviously a good morale booster for an individual player.”

Zambia interim coach George Lwandamina has named a 23-member squad comprising foreign and local based stars.

Zambia will use the Argentina friendly and Four Nations tournament to prepare for qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations which kickoff in September. Qualifiers for the Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda AFCON 2027 will take place in rapid succession from September-November.

Argentina is the reigning men’s world champion, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They are currently holders of the title until the next tournament in 2026. Brazil holds the record for the most World Cup titles with five (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002).

Final Zambia squad to face Argentina;

Goalkeeper; Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Mangani Banda (Kabwe Warriors), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers).

Defenders; Owen Mwamba (Mufulira Wanderers), Domininc Chanda (Power Dynamos), Frederick Mwimanzi, Tinklar Sinkala (both Zanaco), Brian Chilimina (Red Arrows), Kondwani Chiboni (Power Dynamos).

Midfielders; Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Given Kalusa, Kelvin Mwanza (FC Muza), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), David Simukonda (Ceremica Cleopatra-Egypt), Obino Chisala (Al Merreikh-Sudan), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Sctoland).

Forwards: Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Chanka Zimba (Iverness Caledonian Thistle), Kingstone Mutandwa (SV Reid-Austria), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Pascal Phiri (Pyramids-Egypt).