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Zambia take on Sudan in a battle of the outsiders

It will be the battle of the outsiders in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations when Zambia and Sudan take to the pitch at the refurbished Baba Yara Stadium today.

The top guns in this first round group are Egypt and Cameroon while Zambia and Sudan are only expected to make up the numbers. However, both countries have shown they can upset the form book after they topped their respective qualifying groups en route to Ghana.

Emotions ran wild throughout Sudan as hundreds of screaming and dancing fans received their national team after the Nile Crocodiles had beaten the Seychelles 2-0 in Port Au Prince to earn qualification.

They would go on to win the group after subduing the highly rated 2004 champions Tunisia in a five-goal thriller in Omdurman.

Sudan, a country that has been embroiled in civil wars since its independence, won the Cup in 1970 as host but last qualified for the competition in 1976.

The records show they have only won three of their 14 encounters with Zambia, scoring 15 goals and letting in 21.

Like Sudan, the Zambians also have the potential to cause a stir with a youthful side in Ghana after reaching the tournament final in 1974 and 1994.

Coach Patrick Phiri will be relying on a squad of talented players led by Brondby striker Christopher Katongo, who fired home four goals including a memorable hat-trick against South Africa in Cape Town on the last day of the qualifiers to clinch top spot in Group 11.

Nicknamed "Tsunami" for his robust play, Katongo, a sergeant in the Zambian army, debuted for his country in a friendly against Sudan five years ago.

He is expected to be complemented by another prolific striker, Collins Mbesuma.
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