TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Zambia team profile
Nickname: Chipolopolo
Total Appearances: Four (2009, 2016, 2018, 2020)
Last Appearance: Cameroon 2020
Best Finish: 3rd (2009)
Titles: 0
FIFA Ranking: 87
Coach: Avram Grant
Captain: Kabaso Chongo
Zambia have been regular features in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), qualifying for the finals an impressive four times out of the previous seven editions.
The Southern African nation has undoubtedly proven its ability and earned its rightful place as amongst the best teams in African football.
Their last taste of continental success came at TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2012 when they became the second Southern African nation after South Africa (1996) to win the AFCON.
Despite continental success eluding them in recent years, Chipolopolo have maintained their status in the Southern African region, winning seven regional COSAFA titles with the most recent being from 2023.
How they qualified:
Zambia qualified as a result of a walk-over following the pulling out of Mozambique.
Know the coach: Avram Grant
The experienced Israeli football manager will guide Zambia at the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), taking over from Wedson Nyirenda who led the team through qualification. The former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss is known for his calm demeanour and strategic mindset, Grant brings vast experience to the Zambian technical bench. His focus at CHAN will be to maximise the potential of local talent, aligning with the tournament’s home-based player policy. Zambia will look to his global expertise to guide them through a challenging Group A that includes Kenya, Morocco, DR Congo and Angola.
Marshalling the troops – Kabaso Chongo
Marshalling the defense and the in-field troops will be Kabaso Chongo as the team captain.
The former TP Mazembe centre back who is now in the books of Kabwe Warriors brings wealth of experience to Chipolopolo in their quest for their second continental title.
Previous TotalEnergies CAF CHAN performance:
The 2024 finals will mark Zambia’s fifth appearance at continental showpiece, with their last appearance being in 2020.
Their best performance came in the inaugural edition where they finished in the top three with a bronze medal following their 2-1 victory over Senegal.
Following their third-place finish in 2009, Zambia have since advanced from the group stages in all their appearances (2016, 2018, 2020) but failed to advance further than the quarter-final.
They will be hoping to change that record this year.
Fan Zone:
Did you know: Grant famously led Chelsea to the 2008 UEFA Champions League final. His coaching career spans several continents, including stints with the Ghana national team, whom he led to the 2015 AFCON final.