2024 African Cup of Nations - What predictions for Zambia?
by Steve Ashfield | by Véronique MASUAKU
Zambia Back in AFCON Finals After Nine-Year Absence
It's 11 years since Zambia beat Ivory Coast to win the African Cup of Nations. They've not been able to build on that success and this is the first time since 2015 that they have reached the finals. They will be hoping to at least make it into the knockout stages for the ninth time in their history.
What bets should you be considering making on Zambia for AFCON 2024? Could they win their second title?
Zambia Need to Find Improved Form
If Zambia are to do well at AFCON 2024 then they do need to improve their recent form. Coming into this tournament, they have only won one of their last four international fixtures. That sole victory was in their 2026 World Cup home qualifier against Congo. They came from behind to win 4-2 but then followed that up with a 2-1 away loss at Niger leaving them second in the group.
2022 was a troublesome year for Zambia with four national managers. They've settled down since then with Avram Grant (formerly a manager with Ghana,Portsmouth, Chelsea and West Ham United) in charge and leading them to these finals.
Zambia made it into these finals by topping qualifying Group H ahead of Ivory Coast. All three of their home games were won but only one of those played on the road. Away form is a worry for Zambia and that needs to be improved on if they are to do well in this tournament.
They do not have the most experienced squads and lack a bit of firepower. A lot of their hopes will rest on Patson Daka (seen celebrating above) who plays for Leicester City in the English Premier League. He's scored 18 international goals with four goals scored this season.He's been on target for them in their last two internationals,scoring three goals. That kind of form could take Zambia into the last 16 at AFCON 2024.
Other key players for Zambia include Albert Kangwanda who scored the winning goal against South Africa in July of last year. That was the third consecutive game for Zambia in which he'd scored. Kelvin Kampamba is an experienced midfielder but hasn't scored for Zambia since 2020.
AFCON 2024 - Zambia's Fixture List
Zambia face a difficult task to make it into the knockout stages at AFCON 2024. They are in Group F and face Morocco, DR Congo and Tanzania.
- Wednesday January 17 - DR Congo v Zambia - Laurent Poku Stadium in San Pedro
- Sunday January 21 - Zambia v Tanzania - Laurent Poku Stadium in San Pedro
- Wednesday January 24 - Zambia v Morocco - Laurent Poku Stadium in San Pedro
Remember that it's possible for you to date with all the AFCON 2024 scores at our football livescore with live text commentary available and continually updated statistics to assist you with your bets.
What Bets to Make on Zambia in the 2024 AFCON?
It would be a major surprise if Zambia were to win the 2024 African Cup of Nations. They lack experience at this level after a nine-year absence and have never qualified for the World Cup finals. Zambia are 66/1 at William Hill to lift the trophy.
The first match in any tournament is often a nervous affair. It certainly looks like being that way for Zambia as they take on DR Congo. Their opponents are ranked 24 places above Zambia in the world rankings. They are in their first AFCON finals since 2019 and like Zambia aren't always at their best on the road. If Zambia want to get into the last 16, then they really can't afford to lose this game. They have never lost to DR Congo with four out of five previous meetings ending level. It's 13/10 at bet365 they win and 9/5 it ends in a draw.
Up next for Zambia will be a game against Tanzania and this is the one group game they are most definitely expected to win. Tanzania are one of the lowest ranked teams at AFCON 2024 and Zambia have won their last three games against them. No prices are available yet but keep an eye on our betting tips section.
The hope will be that by the time they meet 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, they'll have at least three points and looking good to qualify. This game will decide where they finish in the group. Winning Group F will see them take on the side finishing second in Group E and that could be either Tunisia or most likely Mali.
Only finishing second in Group F could see them up against Ghana or Egypt. Zambia are a good bet to make it to the last 16 and It's 6/1 at bet365 that they top their group. The 8/15 at Betfair on them qualifying does look a good bet to make. The top two in the group automatically qualify but there are also some places for the best third-placed teams.
Throughout the tournament you can find out the recent results on our page that's dedicated to yesterday's AFCON results. You can also discover the upcoming games on our page that gives details of tomorrow's AFCON matches.
