Zambia are under president’s orders to win the African Nations Cup after failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Coach Herve Renard’s team begin their campaign tomorrow when they take on Tunisia in Lubango, however the odds are stacked against them returning from Angola with the trophy.
Zambia are 75th in the world rankings, which indicates they are the 19th strongest team in Africa and have done well just to qualify for the 16-team tournament.
Tunisia, 45th in the FIFA rankings and ninth in Africa, also missed out on the World Cup but they have recent African Nations Cup pedigree, having won the tournament on home soil in 2004. Zambia have reached two finals, the most recent in 1994.
Zambia president Rupiah Banda met with the squad at the weekend, and said: “You must ensure that you win the trophy this time around.
“Zambia has a very rich football history and it is time we started winning tournaments like the Africa Cup to match that good history.”
He added: “We have a better chance to win the Africa Cup than ever before because the coach, Herve Renard, has managed to round up many players who play in South Africa and Europe.
“I am very sure that you have what it takes to surprise everyone at this tournament. I am very glad that my colleague the Angola president invited me to the official opening ceremony so that I give you encouragement.”
Zambia are in Group D, and will also face Cameroon and Gabon, so making a strong start is imperative.
The ‘Chipolopolo’ beat Mozambique and South Korea in warm-up games for the tournament.
Tunisia defender Khaled Souissi, who plays in his country’s domestic league for Club Africain, admits the tournament can “open the doors” to a career in Europe for high-performing players.
“This tournament is followed by European scouts,” he told Tunisian newspaper La Presse. “And I would be lying if I said every player in this tournament doesn’t have a double motivation.
“Of course we are all going to the African Nations Cup to represent our country, but we all know too if we excel it could open the door to professionalism in Europe.
“That is a motivation in itself and not least because every player is tempted by the experience of a European club.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game, Souissi added: “I’ve had the opportunity to play against Zambia twice in friendlies. They are a good team.”
