THE long awaited IHF Trophy Zone VI scheduled to take place in Lusaka from April 28th to May 2nd, 2026, at the OYDC Zambia kicks off today, with eight Southern African nations set to battle for ultimate glory and a qualification slot to the continental championship slated for later this year.

The tournament features the U20 and U18 categories, with the U20 set to compete in the group but alongside Mozambique, Malawi and Eswatini. The Under 18’s will have been placed in group A, and will compete against Lesotho, Namibia and Mozambique.

Ahead of the tournament, Handball Association of Zambia General Secretary, Josab Changa has confidently declared that both the men’s and women’s teams are fully prepared to defend their regional champion status on home soil.

“I can confirm that both our teams have prepared adequately. We have been in camp for one month plus. As an association, we are so certain that we should be able to emerge victorious in this championship,” Changa said.

He asserted that the team has their eyes fixed on AFCON qualification and they will be buoyed by a fully fit squad.

“Our target is to ensure that both teams qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations as well as IHF Continental Championship that will take place in Ivory Coast somewhere around September this year. We are happy that all the players are injury free and they are in high spirits,” he said.

Changa acknowledged that Zambia, being the reigning champions in the Southern Africa region, will face determined opposition from every rival nation.

“Zambia are the champions in the Southern Africa region. So I know the competition is not going to be as easy as it looks because each and every team has been training to beat Zambia. But as Zambia, we cannot just allow to be beaten on our home soil, so we just have to defend the status of being champions in the Southern Africa region,” he said.

The General Secretary also dismissed concerns about home pressure, arguing instead that playing in front of local fans will serve as motivation for the players.

“They won’t play under pressure because they are playing at home. Of course with the support from all the fans, we know that our boys are going to do all they can and ensure that they qualify. They know what is at stake. Once they are victorious in both categories, meaning automatically they qualify to the two championships. Everyone wants to go and play at that high level, there’s no way they are going to allow to accept being beaten on a home soil. They will have all the supports and I’m sure it will really encourage them to fight hard and ensure that they win,” said Changa.

By yesterday, Changa revealed that only South Africa, Namibia, and Eswatini had landed in Zambia ahead of the tournament which officially gets underway at the OYDC courts.