MATCH FACTS: Zambia begin TotalEnergies CAF CHAN campaign against DR Congo

Zambia begin their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign with a group-stage encounter against two-time champions DR Congo. The fixture brings together two of the tournament's more experienced sides and will be just their second meeting in CHAN history.

Their only previous encounter came in the semi-finals of the 2009 edition, where DR Congo secured a 2–1 win in Abidjan thanks to early goals from Serge Senge and Alain Kaluyituka. Zambia pulled one back late through Given Singuluma but could not force extra time.

With this match, DRC becomes the fifth opponent that Zambia has faced more than once at the finals, joining Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda.

Zambia – Key Facts

• This is Zambia’s fifth appearance at CHAN, and they have advanced past the group stage in all previous editions.

• Best finish came in 2009 (third place); eliminated at the quarterfinal stage in 2016, 2018, and 2020.

• Have won their opening match in all four previous appearances:

  • 3–0 vs Côte d’Ivoire (2009)

  • 1–0 vs Zimbabwe (2016)

  • 3–1 vs Uganda (2018)

  • 2–0 vs Tanzania (2020)

• Unbeaten in all 12 group-stage matches at CHAN (W6 D6).

• All four CHAN defeats came after the group stage (three in open play, one on penalties).

• Currently on a three-match winless run since beating Tanzania in 2020.

• Only one win in their last six CHAN matches (W1 D3 L2).

• Kept 9 clean sheets in 16 CHAN matches; 8 of those came in the group stage.

• Conceded only three goals in 12 group-stage games.

• Five of their six CHAN wins have come by two or more goals; biggest win: 3–0 vs Côte d’Ivoire (2009).

DR Congo – Key Facts

• Opened their 2024 campaign with a 1–0 defeat to co-hosts Kenya.

• Winless in five CHAN matches (D2 L3); last win came against Niger in 2020.

• Have never lost their first two group games at a single CHAN edition.

• Record in second group matches: P5 W2 D3 L0.

  • Wins: 2–1 vs Côte d’Ivoire (2011), 4–2 vs Angola (2016)

  • Draws: 1–1 vs Zimbabwe (2009), 1–1 vs Libya (2014), 0–0 vs Côte d’Ivoire (2022)

• Have scored and conceded in four of their five previous second group games.

• The 0–0 draw in 2022 was the only time they failed to score in a second group game.

• Could suffer three successive CHAN defeats for the first time if they lose to Zambia.

• Have not scored in their last four CHAN matches (427 minutes without a goal); last goal came in the 2020 quarterfinals vs Cameroon (Glody Lilepo).

• Possession vs Kenya:

  • First half: 38.1%, 89 passes completed

  • Second half: 62.3%, 148 passes completed (79% accuracy)

• Age Basiala delivered 13 crosses against Kenya – most of any player in the game.