COSAFA Cup: Nyirenda impressed with Zambia display despite Comoros defeat

Photo Credit - Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

Despite Zambia’s 1-0 defeat to Comoros in their 2025 COSAFA Cup Group D opener at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday, Chipolopolo coach Wedson Nyirenda took encouragement from the performance, highlighting the inexperience of his squad.

Comoros took the lead on 31 minutes as Ibrahim Madi headed in Ahmed Haslane’s free-kick close to the left by-line, and the Islanders were full value for their victory.

“I think it was a wonderful game I saw from my boys. We were on top of the opponents for most of the game. Having 90 per cent of our players being debutants in international football, we are giving them a chance to mature. So I think they didn’t disappoint,” said Nyirenda.

Comoros scored from a set piece through striker Madi. Nyirenda noted that the opponents didn’t threaten from open play. “It’s a good start for the boys. They’ve now been baptised at international level. They just need to grow stronger.”

Comoros reached the semi-finals last year in their best showing yet. In a three-team pool that also contains Botswana, they have taken a giant step towards repeating that, with record seven-time winners, Zambia, on the brink of a group stage exit for an unprecedented second edition in a row.

The defeat also extended Zambia’s longest-ever losing streak in the competition to four games, after they were defeated in all three pool matches in 2024.

Zambia will face Botswana in their next and final group stage match, with all three teams battling for a place in the knockout rounds.