The Chipolopolo return to the cusp of African football with reinvigorated spirit to repeat the heroics of 2012 and in a country they beat on that famous Libreville night.
The Israeli Avram Grant is the man in charge and takes 27 bullets on that mission.
At CAN 1996, they finished first in the group with two victories (5–1 against Burkina Faso, goals from Kenneth Malitoli, double from Kalusha Bwalya, goals from Dennis Lota and Johnson Bwalya); 4–0 against Sierra Leone (a hattrick from Kalusha Bwalya and goal from Mordon Malitoli) and a draw (0–0 against Algeria), beat Egypt (3–1) in the quarterfinals and loses in semis against Tunisia (2–4) but took third place over Ghana (1–0, goal from Johnson Bwalya). Kalusha Bwalya was the best in the competition with 5 goals.
From 1998 to 2006, Zambia did not pass the first round, except in 2004 when they failed to qualify. On September 3, 2006, at home, Zambia achieved the biggest victory in its history against Djibouti, winning 10–0. During the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia finished third in the group with a 3–0 victory against Sudan (goals by James Chamanga, Jacob Mulenga and Felix Katongo), a draw (1–1 against Egypt, goal from Chris Katongo) and loss (1–5 against Cameroon, goal from Chris Katongo).
In 2010, Zambia finished first in her group and faced Nigeria in the quarter-finals where she lost on penalties. Jacob Mulenga and Emmanuel Mbola were included in the tournament’s Best XI. In 2012, the best AFCON in Zambia history happened. During the tournament’s group stage, they defeated Senegal(2-1), drew with Libya (2-2), and defeated Equatorial Guinea (1-0), and qualified top of their group. During the knockout stage, Zambia defeated Sudan (3-0) in the Quarterfinals, beat Ghana in the semifinals (1-0) and went up against Ivory Coast in the final, where the won their first title, after defeating them in a dramatic Penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw after extra time.
Goalkeepers
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes, Zambia), Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United, Zambia)
Defenders
Stoppilla Sunzu (J’inan Xingzhou FC, China), Frankie Musonda (Ayr United, Scotland), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows, Zambia), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon leZion, Israel), Roderick Kabwe (Zakho SC, Iraq), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards, Zambia), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys, Switzerland)
Midfielders
Clatous Chama (Simba SC, Tanzania), Emmanuel Banda (HNK Gorica, Croatia), Kings Kangwa (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zesco United, Zambia), Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba (Zesco United, Zambia), Benson Sakala (FK Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic), Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune United, South Africa), Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg IF, Denmark), Edward Chilufya (BK Häcken, Sweden), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyškov, Czech Republic)
Strikers
Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Lameck Banda (US Lecce, Italy), Fashion Sakala (Al-Fayha FC, Saudi Arabia), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans SC, Tanzania)
Zambia’s first match is on January 17 against Congo before playing Tanzania four days later.
The final group match will be against Morocco on January 24
