Following an eight-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Zambian national team will be marking their return to the continent’s biggest showpiece in Ivory Coast next year.
Last Thursday’s 2023 AFCON draw in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, saw the Chipolopolo being pitted against Morocco, DR Congo, and Tanzania in Group F, with the tournament set to start from January 13 to February 11, 2023.
The group houses some of the biggest football stars on the continent and promises to deliver some riveting moments.
Bolanews examines the five players the Copper Bullets should be worried about on their return to the Nations Cup.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)
The full-back is sure to be a nuisance against the Chipolopolo backline. Widely regarded as one of the fastest players in the world, Hakimi’s attacking exploits have bound to frighten his opponents. This takes us back to the previous edition, where he scored a freekick in a 2-1 win over Malawi in the last 16.
Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco/Manchester United)
Amrabat was not fazed by coming up against the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Luka Modric, Bernardo Silva, Pedri, and Bruno Fernandes during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His commanding performances in the middle of the park garnered interest from several powerhouses across Europe. Among the teams that were interested were FC Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester United. Zambia’s midfield will have a lot of work to do to keep the Atlas Lion honest.
Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo/Galatasaray)
Bakambu took the Greek Super League by storm last season when he scored 18 goals to win the Golden Boot. The forward has netted three goals in his last four games for DR Congo, following a four-year goal drought. Zambia’s defense would not want to be meeting the Galatasaray man in this kind of form.
Youssef En Nesyri (Morocco/Sevilla)
It was En Nesyri’s heroics in Qatar that marked African history, as Morocco stormed the FIFA World Cup semifinals as the first country on the continent to do so. His aerial prowess is something that the Chipolopolo will have to keep an eye on in Ivory Coast.
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco/Galatasaray)
The Moroccan wing wizard needs no introduction. Ziyech has everything in the locker to hurt the Copper Bullets. His pin-point deliveries, ball control, vision, and creativity make the Atlas Lion a force to reckon with.
READ MORE: Morocco coach reacts to being drawn with ‘dark horses’ Zambia and co at AFCON.
Back in 2019, when the Chipolopolo got the better of the Atlas Lions by securing a 3-2 victory, Ziyech spared his side complete humiliation by scoring twice.
