كتب : Mohamed Sabe
They have previously stunned everyone by rising from the ashes and finishing as runners-up in the 1994 finals in Tunisia, less than a year after losing 18 national team players in plane crash.
Zambia, who also finished as runners-up in the 1974 edition, lack high profile stars but are quite a force to be reckoned with, because as a team, they work very well together.
They have several Europe-based players like captain Chris Katongo, winger Clive Hachilensa, midfielder Isaac Chansa and Germany based Andrew Sinkala who was captain of the U-20 national team.
The Chipolopolo will be missing some of their experienced and able players like Elijah Tana who plays for Al-Merrikh of Sudan, South African Player of the Year Collins Mbesuma who were both eliminated from the squad for disciplinary and medical reasons respectively.
Angola-based trio Felix Katongo, Ian Bakala and forward Adubelo Phiri will bring some depth to this motivated squad. This impressive group of players managed to finish their qualifying group in first place, thanks to their head to head record with South Africa who also bagged 11 points.
Zambia’s chances in Group C are as good as Sudan’s since they have nothing to lose in a strong group that includes giants Cameroon and holding champions Egypt.
Coach: Patrick Phiri (Zambian)
Phiri was named Zambia coach in 2006, replacing the legendary Kalusha Bwalya. He has managed to bring together a strong team that has both experience and talent from local sides and abroad.
Phiri led the Copper Bullets to the COSAFA title in 2006 and the final of the 2007 edition where they lost to South Africa in a penalty shootout.
Star Player: Christopher Katongo
Katongo is a very powerful player who plays as a right winger and forward. His strength and commitment has earned him the captain’s armband in the Chipolopolo squad that includes more senior players.
The combative player started his football career at Butondo football club in 1994 and then joined Kalulushi Modern Stars in 1999. It was while playing for Stars that he caught the attention Zambian club Green Buffaloes who in turn signed him in 2001.
In 2003, Katongo was given his first taste of international football by the then coach Patrick Phiri in an international friendly against Sudan.
The 25-year-old player then moved abroad to play for South African outfit Jomo Cosmos, along with his younger brother Felix. His hard work and fast pace earned him the nickname ‘Tsunami’.
On September 9, 2007, he scored a hat-trick within 20 minutes in Zambia’s 3-1 drubbing of South Africa. His goals not only helped his country qualify for Ghana, but also finish ahead of the more experienced South Africans.
Because of this hat-trick, he was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant by the Zambian army.
Katongo joined Danish side Brondby in January 2007 and scored a brace in his debut to win the hearts of the club fans.