By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
ZAMBIA will start the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against the Kingdom of Swaziland.
Zambia, semi-finalists at the first edition in 2009 and quarter-finalist at the last edition in Rwanda last year, will be attempting to make a third appearance at the tournament to be hosted by Kenya next year.
The CHAN is a miniature version of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with countries only featuring players who play in their native leagues with the Democratic Republic of Congo being the defending champions.
According to draws conducted in Gabon on Friday night, Zambia will be on bye in the first round games to be played in April and joining the action in the second round when it takes on Swaziland in mid-July for the first leg and return a week later.
Swaziland is also on bye in the first round.
Should Zambia get past Swaziland, they have a possible date with South Africa on the weekend of August 12 with the return game a week later in the third and final qualifying round.
South Africa will first need to get over a stubborn Botswana in the second round.
In the Second round against Swaziland, Zambia will have the advantage of playing the second leg at home but will be away for the second leg should they reach the third and final round.
The draws also saw the continent split into six zones with West Africa further divided into two (West and East) while Central has been split into two as well with the second part of it joined with East Africa.
Other draws have seen defending champions Congo DR needing to deal with neighbours Congo Brazzaville while Hervé Renard and his Morocco side again dealing with Egypt for a spot at the finals.
Cameroun’s only problem will be dispatching São Tomé E Principe while Uganda, the African team of the year for 2016 will have to first overcome the winner between Somalia and South Sudan and later either Rwanda or Tanzania in the last phase.
The CHAN finals tournament will be held between January 11 and February 2 next year.