Chipolopolo Midfield Duo of Emmanuel Banda and Kings Kangwa Keep World Cup Dream Alive Despite Setback in a shocking 2-1 defeat at the hands of Niger after entering the match as table toppers in Group E on Tuesday and having an impeccable record against Niger, never having lost to them before. In the wake of that defeat against Niger in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, midfielders Emmanuel Banda and Kings Kangwa have taken to social media to express their disappointment and reaffirm their commitment to the team's goals. Banda, who is known for his unwavering spirit, acknowledged the team's recent success but emphasized the importance of learning from setbacks. "A bitter pill to swallow yesterday," he wrote, adding, "Maybe just maybe that got to us a bit." Despite the loss, Banda remained resolute, declaring, "We shall not utter any excuses for our defeat yesterday, but we shall build from it and improve as we head into Afcon." Echoing Banda's sentiment, Kangwa expressed his regret and pledged to rectify the situation on the pitch. "We let you down in our previous game," he admitted, reassuring fans, "We are going to rectify that on the pitch." He urged the team to move forward, stating, "Let's put this setback behind us as we focus on the upcoming AFCON." Kangwa also acknowledged the magnitude of the World Cup journey, highlighting their unwavering determination. "The World Cup journey is very long, and we shall fight to the end," he affirmed. Kangwa concluded his message by appealing for continued support from the fans, stating, "My plea to you all is to continue rallying behind us even in such times." Zambia will now shift their focus to the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Ivory Coast in January 2024. The World Cup qualifiers campaign will resume in mid-2024.