ZAMBIA SEEK FORMER GLORIES
Coach: Herve Renard (France)
FIFA Ranking (Dec 09): 84
CAF Ranking: 17
Zambia have gone out in the first round of five of the last six Africa Cup of Nations finals, having not qualified for the event at all in 2004.
It is a frustrating run for a country that has a proud history in the tournament, though they have yet to put their name on the winners trophy yet, despite some close shaves.
They were runners-up in the 1974 competition, losing in the final to Zaire after a replay, and followed that up with another runners-up finish in 1994, the year after a tragic plane crash had killed 18 members of the playing squad.
There have also been some semifinal placings (1982, 1990 and 1996), but recent history has not been kind to Chipolopolo.
GROUP D FIXTURES:
13/1 vs Tunisia Lubango
17/1 vs Cameroon Lubango
21/1 vs Gabon Benguela
NATIONS CUP RECORD
Best result: Finalists (1974, 1994)
Finals tournament record:
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
51 |
21 |
11 |
19 |
63 |
56 |
PROVISIONAL ZAMBIA SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa), Kalililo Kakonje (AmaZulu, South Africa), Jacob Banda (Zesco United)
Defenders: Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Kampamba Chintu (AmaZulu, South Africa), Hichani Himoonde (TP Mazembe Englebert, DR Congo), Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan, Armenia), Joseph Musonda (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Charles Siyingwa, Thomas Nyirenda (both Zanaco)
Midfielders: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Noah Chivuta (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Danny Hangunyu (Primeiro Agosto, Angola), Rainford Kalaba (União Leiria, Portugal), Francis Kasonde (Oman), Felix Katongo (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Clifford Mulenga (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa), Stophira Sunzu (Zanaco), William Njobvu ((Hapoel Kiryat Shmone, Israel)
Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Collins Mbesuma (Moroka Swallows, South Africa), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), James Chamanga (Dalian Shide, China), Signs Chibambo (Heartland, Nigeria), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe Englebert, DR Congo)