Zambia have begun a three-week training camp in Johannesburg, South Africa in preparation for their Africa Cup of Nations quest, which includes a training match against Bafana Bafana.
Zambia coach Herve Renard believes it is time for everyone to get behind Chipolopolo and wants to create a strong team unity during their time in South Africa.
Zambia and Botswana are the only representatives from southern Africa at the finals and many South Africans are expected to get behind these teams considering the selection of players that have links to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
But Zambia must negotiate their way through Group A, which consists of co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Senegal.
Renard has recently been reported as saying that when the team stays in Zambia there is “too much turbulence” around the squad hence the decision to camp in South Africa.
His group of players will play Bafana Bafana on January 11 in Tshwane before heading to Equatorial Guinea on January 18.