Zambia’s futsal team have begun the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a win. Royd Chishala scored inside two minutes and Patrick Mwila struck twice — once about four minutes later and again in the 23rd minute, straight after the restart — to put Zambia 3–0 up against Libya in Rabat on Monday 12 October, CAF reported. Mohammed Abu Raas pulled one back for Libya late in the game, and Zambia closed out a 3–1 victory in their Group A opener.
Mwila was named player of the match, according to Africa Top Sports, which also reported that Zambia’s ambassador to Morocco, Eliphas Chinyonga, was in the stands. The tournament runs from 12 to 21 October.
A fourth finals, and a tougher group
This is Zambia’s fourth appearance at the futsal finals, after 2008, 2016 and 2024, CAF’s tournament profile notes. Two years ago the team beat Ghana 5–2 but lost to Angola and the hosts, Morocco, and went out in the group stage with three points. Head coach Andrea Cristoforetti, in charge then too, is at his second consecutive finals and is credited by CAF with building a new generation of players. Zambia reached Morocco by beating Ghana over two legs in the qualifying play-offs.
Group A is not kind. Morocco, the hosts, are Zambia’s second opponents on Wednesday 14 October, with Algeria to follow on Friday 16 October; Libya meet Algeria on Wednesday and Morocco on Friday. Three points from the opening game give Cristoforetti’s side a platform: in 2024 the team finished the group stage with the same total.
Zambia’s Group A fixtures
- Monday 12 October — Zambia 3–1 Libya (Rabat)
- Wednesday 14 October — Zambia v Morocco
- Friday 16 October — Zambia v Algeria
Sources: CAF, “Zambia make winning start with victory over Libya at TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON Morocco 2026” (12 Oct 2026); CAF, “Zambia Futsal Profile: Chipolopolo return to Morocco seeking to make their mark” (12 Oct 2026); Africa Top Sports, “2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON): Zambia start with massive victory over Libya” (14 Oct 2026).