Zambia (Group B)

Tried to cling onto their 2012 Nations Cup-winning team for as long as they could as they sought to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil but fell short. This meant that the chance to ease out some of their ageing stars and introduce fresher talent in the wake of winning Africa’s top prize was lost and they had to undergo a dramatic overhaul going into the 2015 Nations Cup qualifying campaign with potentially disastrous consequences. Honor Janza was appointed coach after the departure of Herve Renard and then his trusty assistant Patrice Beaumelle. Zambia struggled through the first half of the group phase, unable to register a win but bounced back strongly to win their last three games and finish second behind the Cape Verde Islands.

COACH
Honor Janza was termed “interim coach” and only gave him a mandate until November when Zambia appointed him in August. Now he has a rolling deal but with a chance to force a permanent contract. Was an assistant to Renard when Zambia won the 2012 Nations Cup, but at club level has only a brief spell in charge at Zesco United when they were in the Zambia second division.

KEY PLAYERS

Of the 2012 African Nations Cup winning side, several return for yet another Nations Cup: Kennedy Mweene (above), Davies Nkausu, Rainford Kalaba and Emmanuel Mayuka. Centre-back and captain
Stopilla Sunzu is battling to be fit.

LIKELY STARTING XI (4-4-2): 

Kennedy Mweene - Davies Nkausu, Stopilla Sunzu, Nyambe Mulenga, Emmanuel Mbola - Lubambo Musonda, Nathan Sinkala, Given Singuluma, Rainford Kalaba - Ronald Kampamba, Emmanuel Mayuka.