The Zambia Air Force gave its football club a commander's welcome. Red Arrows, who beat Kaizer Chiefs on penalties in Durban on Friday 23 October to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the first time, were received at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 21:30 by the Air Force commander, Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni, ZamFoot reported on Sunday 25 October.
Nyoni, who is also the club's patron, told the squad he had come in person to keep a promise made before the tie. He said the win deserved celebration but should serve as motivation for greater achievement, and set the target as a place in the competition's final.
I expected nothing less than victory and you have brought that victory. Congratulations.
— Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni, Zambia Air Force commander and Red Arrows patron, receiving the team at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, as reported by ZamFoot
The commander presented head coach Chisi Mbewe with a Toyota Mark X, which ZamFoot said was to help him travel to training and on official duties. ZamFoot also reported that President Hakainde Hichilema had praised the victory, which it described as adding to the pride of the Air Force.
'A significant milestone'
Brigadier General Simon Tembo, who led the Air Force delegation to Durban, described Arrows as a disciplined, quality side. Samuel Mwape, the Football Association of Zambia's representative and overall leader of the delegation, congratulated the club and called its qualification a significant milestone for Zambian football. He asked Nyoni to keep backing the team and said FAZ was open to working with the Air Force on football development.
Arrows' place in the group stage was secured over two legs that ended level and went to a shoot-out at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Lusaka Brief reported the match on Sunday 25 October: a 1–0 defeat in Durban that levelled the tie, followed by a 3–2 win on penalties. The group-stage draw had not been reported in the pages read for this edition.
Sources: ZamFoot, “ZAF commander challenges Arrows to target CAF final, gifts vehicle to coach” (25 Oct 2026).