players to retain possession for large spells; they are more comfortable sitting back and hitting teams on the counter. Spoilt with twinkle-toed wingers and attacking midfielders, their attacking play is easy on the eye but involves over-elaborate skills and moves which usually don't finish with the desired end result.
Strengths
Experienced defence - Although Hichani Himoonde and the evergreen Joseph Musonda haven't made the squad, Davies Nkausu, Stoppira Sunzu and Kennedy Mweene remain. That trident in their backline is enough to make Zambia have one of the most cohesive - and most experienced - backlines at the tournament.
Weaknesses
Scoring goals - Although they were knocked out of the last Cup of Nations unbeaten, their lack of goals that ultimately contributed to their group stage exit. Two years have passed and their goalscoring poverty persists. They scored just six goals in qualifying, with three of them coming in their home win over lowly Niger.
Key Player
Stoppila Sunzu - Despite Zambia's early exit, the 25-year-old was so good at the last Cup of Nations that he was able to single-handedly make the core of Zambia's defence impregnable. The China-based centre back will need to be at his very best if Zambia are going to be hard to beat again.
The Hipster Choice
Kennedy Mweene - Reliable goalkeepers come at a premium at the Cup of Nations and whilst Mweene can have his brainfart moments, his superb distribution, penalty-area authority and the bonus of being an accomplished penalty-kick taker, makes him a key bullet in the Chipolopolo's armoury.
Nations and whilst Mweene can have his brainfart moments, his superb distribution, penalty-area authority and the bonus of being an accomplished penalty-kick taker, makes him a key bullet in the Chipolopolo's armoury.
The Coach
Honour Janza - Like Zambia’s AFCON-winning team, he has been groomed for the role over many years. Part of Zambia’s backroom staff for the last six years, the 48-year-old was the team’s technical director before being handed the head coach role last August after the departure of Patrice Beaumelle.
SFG Predicts
Group stage exit - The won't embarrass themselves, but their frugality in front of goal and loss of some key figureheads makes it difficult to back the Zambians.
By Salim Masoud Said (@salimosaid)