Zambia havenââ¬â¢t been playing their best football lately and are ranked as low as 78thà in the latest FIFA rankings, but have climbed 10 spots since the previous rankings were released, which shows that they are a team on the up.
A 20thà placed team in the CAF confederation also doesnââ¬â¢t make for good reading. However, with their relatively new coach, Honour Janza, who only joined the team in April, their form has seen a remarkable improvement.
They managed to win three of their six qualifying games and lost only one to the group F winners, Cape Verde in a match played in September. Furthermore, Zambia are the most recent champions from the AFCON with Nigeria failing to qualify. Their record in the AFCON doesnââ¬â¢t exactly scream favourites, but the fact that theyââ¬â¢ve qualified every time since 2004 shows that they have experience in the competition.
With Mamelodi Sundowns keeper, Kennedy Mweene now a veteran of the team (with 87 caps), they can rely on an experienced campaigner to provide a presence in the box.
Newcomer, Donashano Malama will bring a fresh look to Zambiaââ¬â¢s defence that will likely consist of some more experienced defenders such as 23-year-old Christopher Munthali, who partners him in defence at Nkana, Nyambe Mulenga and Emmanuel Mbola, who plays in Europe for Israeli side, Hapoel Raââ¬â¢anana.
In midfield, Bruce Musakanya is one of the youngest regulars and will likely be partnered by Grasshopperââ¬â¢s Nathan Sinkala, Rainford Kalaba, who plays for African giants, TP Mazembe, and Kalabaââ¬â¢s club teammate Given Singuluma, who will also be an attacking threat.
Up front, Ronald Kampamba will be looking to show that his age does not restrict his ability to score and Southampton player, Emmanuel Mayuka, has plenty of experience and may be the player to watch in this team.
So, it may be true that Zambia donââ¬â¢t boast a pedigree of players that will necessarily stand out amongst other competitors for Januaryââ¬â¢s tournament. However, in 2012 they proved that they are capable of working together as a team, and their unity may be exactly what will make them a team to look out for and that could threaten to take the title.