Zambia name strong Africa Cup of Nations squad

Zambia coach Herve Renard unveiled a strong 28-man provisional squad  for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Renard was quoted on the Zambia FA website saying that he has big ambitions and believes with this team he can achieve them.

“I’m very ambitious and with this squad, I want us to do better than what we did in Angola two years ago. So to be better means nothing short of a minimum of a semi-final is better. But overall, with this squad, we will be ready psychologically, physically, tactically and mentally,“ Renard said.

The man popularly known as the ‘Fox’ added that it would be great if they could go on to win the tournament in the Gabonese capital.

“It is our dream to win the Africa Cup particularly in Libreville where you know a great a part of our history was written. It would be fantastic for the memories of the Zambian team that died there,” Renard said.

The squad has an excellent blend of experience and young talent, which the Frenchman says will bring a new sense of energy to the Chipolopolo team.

“We have wonderful players and in it new revelations who can compete for the first eleven. Of course, I would have loved to have Jacob Mulenga and Emmanuel Mbola. But we have Mayuka to replace Jacob.We have Mbesuma, Singuluma, Kola and James should recover as well as the young striker Evans. But overall, the talents in the team should be good enough to play for each other,” the Fox said.

Zambia will hold their camp in South Africa where they will be preparing for the continent’s biggest football extravaganza.