Zambia aim for second round

Zambia's coach Herve Renard is targeting a second round finish at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola.

The Chipolopolo, once a powerhouse in African football, have not gone the beyond group stage of the competition since 1996.

This year they are drawn in Group D against Cameroon, Tunisia and Gabon

And their French coach believes the task ahead will be difficult.

"The target is to reach the second round, but it won't be easy," Renard said.

"Playing three good teams is not easy but the target is simple and we don't want to hide anything," he added.

The Chipolopolo are currently training in South Africa where they beat Mozambique 1-0 in a friendly match last week.

The team had hoped to play Malawi and Benin in other warm-up matches but the games were cancelled.

The are now scheduled to meet South Korea on January 9 in another friendly.

On Friday Renard announced his final 23-man squad for Angola.

Germany-based midfielder Andrew Sinkala does not make the squad after allegedly complaining about poor remuneration for players.

Nigeria-based striker Signs Chibambo and winger Danny Hangunyu have also been left out.

Zambia's full team list:

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa), Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu, South Africa), Jacob Banda (Zesco United).

Defenders: Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Kampamba Chintu (Amazulu, South Africa), Hichani Himoonde (Zesco United), Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan, Armenia), Joseph Musonda (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Thomas Nyirenda (Zanaco).

Midfielders: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Noah Chivuta (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Rainford Kalaba (União de Leiria, Portugal),Francis Kasonde (Al Suwaiq, Oman), Felix Katongo (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Clifford Mulenga (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa), Stophira Sunzu (Zanaco), William Njobvu ((Hapoel Kiryat Shmone, Israel).

Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), James Chamanga (Dalian Shide, China), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Collins Mbesuma (Moroka Swallows, South Africa).

Source:bbc.co.uk