12/01/2024
THE MOST IMPORTANT CHIPOLOPOLO PLAYERS AS QUEST FOR NUMBER TWO NEARS
After a long absence, the Zambia national team are back at the biggest African football event. Whilst the tournament kicks off tomorrow with The host Ivory coast taking on Guinea, Chipolopolo doesn't take to the pitch until 3 days later.
Zambia are in group F together with neighbors DR Congo, Tanzania and the favorites Morocco.
As Avram Grant looks to complete the resuscitation of Chipolopolo, here are the most important players he will be banking on to translate his game plan to on pitch success:
FRANKIE MUSONDA
Since switching allegiance to Zambia, Musonda has quickly shown his value to the team and at times he has seemed to be the defacto captain. Though not blessed with pace, Musonda has been the metronome in Chipolopolo set up often dictating the tempo and thwarting danger with his impeccable reading of the game. When he's missed games through injury, the Chipolopolo have never looked the same.
STOPILA SUNZU
He is the only one in the squad with the experience of winning the nations cup. He was the man that scored the winning penalty as Zambia won her nations cup final. With mostly a squad making their debut at the tournament, Sunzu will be a sponge of calm for the squad as well as a stalwart at the back.
PATSON DAKA
All Patson Daka does is score goals. And when Zambia kick off the tournament on the 17th, it will be the Leicester man they will look to turn those chances into goals.
He comes into the tournament in hot form for both club and country. Many are already touting him for the golden boot but Zambia will only hope he enough goals to propel them to the later stages and hopefully the final.
FASHION SAKALA
Like Daka, this tournament does feel like one the tournaments the duo have to properly introduce themselves to Africa. Fashion Sakala jnr will always be there to create havov for the opponent and very much of what Zambia does at the tournament will be through him.
LAMECK BANDA
Lameck Banda has enjoyed a great start the Italian Serie A season with Lecce. The wing wizard has continued to grow his reputation in the game and his chicanery will will be crucial as Chipolopolo try to unlock teams.
Honourable mentions:
Kelvin Kaoumbu