Zambia back to where they belong but with new AFCON ambitions
- Zambia are in Group F with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Tanzania
- The Chipolopolo are relieved to be back after missing three consecutive AFCON editions
- Zambia possess an overwhelming burning desire and hunger to make amends
2012 seems like a lifetime ago when Zambia shocked the world by winning the coveted TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. It does not really seem to be just 12 years ago.
A lot has happened since then in and around African Football, but one thing is for sure, the Chipolopolo are back, and they want to build on their past success.
The inclusion of defender Stopilla Sunzu who is the only featuring winner from 2012 speaks to a need to be dynamic in Côte d’Ivoire.
2017 AFCON U20 champions Patson Daka, Emmanuel Banda, Fashion Sakala and Edward Chilufya are set to make their senior AFCON debuts and there is excitement around that.
Zambia's matches in Group F
17 January
DR Congo - Zambia: 20h00 GMT, Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pédro
21 January
Zambia - Tanzania: 17h00 GMT, Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pédro
24 January
Zambia - Morocco: 20h00 GMT, Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pédro
How Zambia qualified:
There is no bigger indication of intent than finishing top of the group that has the eventual hosts of the final tournament. The Chipolopolo came top of Group H with 13 points tied with Côte d’Ivoire but with a better goal difference +1 as compared to -1.
Zambia scored the joint third highest number of goals in the qualification phase – 12 after Nigeria’s 22 and Mali’s 15. Reigning champions Senegal also netted 12 times.
Three home wins gave the Chipolopolo much-needed confidence to control their own fate while picking a comfortable 2-0 win over Lesotho and a 1-all draw against Comoros in Moroni ended their AFCON drought and deservedly so.
Player to watch: Patson Daka
A cartwheel celebration, right hand covering his face with the support of his left hand across his chest or pointing towards the skies – either of these celebrations is expected to be seen in Côte d’Ivoire when Patson Daka finds the back of the net.
A team player whose physique is a God-sent attribute for a striker will be very key for the Chipolopolo. His tactical awareness, intelligent positioning and vision sets him apart. It is an open secret that Zambia will need him to be at his best when the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Côte d’Ivoire kicks off on January 13.
Daka, who comes with English Premier League experience having featured for Leicester City for two seasons, has netted four times and made two assists so far this season in seven appearances in the Championship where the Foxes sit top of the log.
He was the top goal scorer with five goals in the Group H qualification phase – his brace against Lesotho providing a crucial away win that granted Zambia qualification with two match days to go.
One of three goals to see off Côte d’Ivoire at home in Ndola and a second half equalizer to hold Comoros at home truly stood out to remind Zambians of the generational talent that they have. The 2017 CAF Young Player of the Year will be hoping his AFCON debut is worth the wait.
The coach: Avram Grant
Tried and tested. The former Ghana coach who has two AFCON editions under his belt knows what to expect at the biggest tournament on the continent.
Avram Grant guided the Black Stars to the final in 2015 losing to Côte d’Ivoire in a very tense penalty shootout before finishing fourth two years later.
It is this experience that he will bring to the Côte d’Ivoire showpiece when he matches into the country that once ended his AFCON title dreams to now seek redemption with a youthful side that is desperate to please their fans after three forgettable misses.
A pragmatist who is a distinguished man-manager known to allow his players to express themselves, Grant has mastered the art of good game reading. With Zambia, he knows that as much as there is still celebration in the air of returning to the AFCON for the first time in nine years, there is real work to be done.
At 68, he is a father figure and, in more ways, than one, he will be hoping to shade off the ‘nearly and almost’ tag and rise above the expectations of the fans back home.
Zambia's Previous TotalEnergies AFCON performances:
1974: Finalists
1978: 1st Round
1982: Third place
1986: 1st Round
1990: Third place
1992: Quarterfinals
1994: Finalists
1996: Third place
1998: 1st Round
2000: 1st Round
2002: 1st Round
2006: 1st Round
2008: 1st Round
2010: Quarterfinals
2012: Champions
2013: 1st Round
2015: 1st Round