Lusaka, Zambia – Around 30 players have reported for Zambia national team duty this week as coach Avram Grant begins preparations for next month’s intense Africa Cup of Nations mission.
The Chipolopolo players, including 2012 AFCON winners Stopilla Sunzu and Evans Kangwa, were pictured training at the Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Wednesday afternoon.
Grant must whittle down his preliminary 55-man squad to 23 for the finals in Ivory Coast where daunting Group F encounters with Morocco, Tanzania and DR Congo await.
And competition for places is fierce among the enlarged pool Grant assembled for this week’s domestic camp.
The Israeli tactician will take his players to Saudi Arabia next week for a January 9th friendly with Cameroon before finalising his selections.
After defying expectations to reach the semi-finals twelve months ago, Zambia are under pressure to hit similar heights despite landing alongside continental heavyweights Morocco.
However, opening Group F by facing DR Congo on January 17 gives Chipolopolo hope of a fast start.
Now under the guidance of Grant, who famously took Ghana to the 2010 World Cup final, belief is building that Zambia can mark the 10th anniversary of their 2012 triumph by launching another extended AFCON run.
But if they are to emulate the heroes of Libreville and progress to the knockout phase once more, it will require Grant picking the right squad to meet the considerable challenges that await in the Ivory Coast.
