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Zambia captain optimistic ahead of Afcon kick off

Xinhua, January 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Skipper of Zambia's national team, Rainford Kalaba has said they are determined to work hard and recapture the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy.

Speaking to Xinhua in an interview at the Malabo International Airport on Friday afternoon, Kalaba who plies his trade with TP Mazembe in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said they have prepared well and will have a point to prove when the tournament starts.

The 2015 Afcon starts on Saturday with two Group A matches on card as hosts Equatorial Guinea face Congo and Gabon battle Burkina Faso, with all matches at the Estadio de Bata.

Chipolopolo as the Zambian team is known will play their first game against DRC on Sunday in Ebebiyin. Kalaba said all the 23 players picked for the tournament are determined to perform.

The Zambian team that moved their travel day forward by a day immediately connected on a waiting plane to the town of Ebebiyin.

Zambia's head coach Janza only retained eight players who were part of the 2012 Afcon winning team.

Among those left out of the squad included former skipper Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga. Zambia are drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Cape Verde Islands and Democratic Republic of Congo in Group B.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Daniel Munyau (Red Arrows), Joshua Titima (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Christopher Munthali, Donashano Malam (Both Nkana), Stopilla Sunzu (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Emmanuel Mbola (Hapoel Ra'anana, Israel Davies Nkausu (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa)

Midfielders: Roderick Kabwe (Zanaco), Kondwani Mtonga (Zesco United), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe, DRC), Chisamba Lungu (FC Ural, Russia), Lubambo Musonda (FC Ulisses, Armenia Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows), Nathan Sinkala (Grasshopper, Switzerland), Spencer Sautu (Green Eagles), Mukuka Mulenga (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa)

Forwards: Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe, DRC), Emmanuel Mayuka ( Southampton, England), Patrick Ngoma (Red Arrows), Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United), Evans Kangwa (Hapoel Ra'anana, Israel), Reynold Kampamba (Nkana). Endite