Zambia National Team Shifts Camp to Saudi Arabia Ahead of Africa Cup of Nations

Zambia National Team Shifts Camp to Saudi Arabia Ahead of Africa Cup of Nations

In preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Zambia national football team, known as Chipolopolo, is set to move its training camp from Lusaka to Saudi Arabia. The team will spend the next ten days in Saudi Arabia, focusing on fine-tuning their strategies ahead of the tournament’s opening fixture scheduled for January 17.

As part of their preparation, Zambia will engage in two friendly matches. The first friendly is scheduled against Cameroon on January 9th, with another match set for January 5th against an opponent yet to be announced. These friendlies aim to provide valuable match practice and enhance team cohesion.

Coach Avram Grant is eagerly awaiting the arrival of key players, including Leicester City striker Patson Daka, Lecce attacker Lameck Banda, Ayr United defender Frankie Musonda, and Saudi-based Fashion Sakala. These players are expected to join the team directly in Saudi Arabia within the next 48 hours.

Zambia, the 2012 AFCON winners, is making a return to the tournament after missing out on the last three editions. Coach Grant has assembled a youthful 27-member squad for the competition, with four additional players on a backup list. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) allows each team to register 23 players for the tournament.

In Group F of the AFCON, Zambia will face tough competition from Morocco, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The team aims to make a strong impact and vie for their second AFCON title in history. The shift to Saudi Arabia provides a focused environment for the team to refine their strategies and build momentum ahead of the prestigious continental competition.