After their successes in 1994 and 1996, Zambia's first-round exit at Burkina Faso came as a bitter disappointment.

The Chipolopolo's performance at Tunisia '94 was all the more impressive, coming as it did one year after an air crash wiped out almost the whole national team.

After the disappointment of Burkina Faso, instead of the Zambian Football Association concentrating on rebuilding the team, they got embroiled in a financial scandal.

Looking at Zambia's qualification record, it may not seem as if this had an impact - they dominated their group, winning 16 out of a possible 18 points.

But problems have been evident in their preparations.

Poor organisation led to a tour of America being abandoned after only one match - which they lost 7-1.

Back home, they played two warm-ups against a Zimbabwean under-23 side and lost one 4-3, and drew the other 2-2.

Coach Ben Bamfucile will be relying on Sweden-based striker Bernard Makufi, Dennis Lota who has been in excellent form for South African club Orlando Pirates and former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya to help the Chipolopolo back to form.

Zambia squad
		Coach: Ben Bamfuchile
		Davies Phiri	Kabwe Warriors
		Laughter Chilembi	Nchanga Rangers
		Elijah Litana	Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia
		Moses Sichone	1FC Cologne, Germany
		Elija Tana	Nchanga Rangers
		Kabamba Chintu	Kabwe Warriors
		Hillary Makasa	Ajax Cape Town, South Africa
		Mannaseh Mwanza	Power Dynamos
		Masauso Tembo	Al Orouba, United Arab Emirates
		Dennis Lota	Orlando Pirates, South Africa
		Kalusha Bwalya	Vera Cruz, Mexico
		Andrew Tembo	Odense, Denmark
		Mumamba Numba	Konkola Blades
		Perry Mutapa	Farense, Portugal
		Rotson Kilambe	Power Dynamos
		Emmanuel Mschili	Nkana FC
		Andrew Sinkala	Bayern Munich, Germany
		Mwape Miti	Odense, Denmark
		Arthur Lungu	Zamsure
		Jones Mwewa	Power Dynamos
		Bernard Makufi	IFK Hasselham, Sweden
		Kenny Mwila	Power Dynamos