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There is nothing more bitter than failure in the eyes of the Zambian football fan. For 14 years Zambia were unbeaten at home, from 1985 to 1999,until Angola ended the outstanding record in a COSAFA Castle Cup semi-final. Since then there has been little to shout about. At the 1998 and 2000 African Cup of Nations, Zambia performed dismally, bowing out in the first round for the first time since 1986. There was the ignominy of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Egypt, a severe loss that underlined just how far back Zambia had declined in recent years after gracing the top table of football for almost three decades.
In 2002, Zambia faces another gruelling Nations Cup with Egypt, Tunisia and Senegal as first round opponents. Not surprisingly, the group has been tagged the 'Group of Death.' For the first time in the country's history, the team is regarded as no-hopers, with little prospect of making the quarterfinals. Given the quality of the opposition and the declining fortunes of Zambian football it is not too difficult to see why the pundits rate Zambia's chances of success as slim. Both Tunisia and Senegal have qualified for next year's World Cup and did so deservedly. Egypt came close but were foiled by their bitter rivalry with Algeria as Algeria fought tooth and nail to ensure that they prevented Egypt from getting the win that would have seen them through in a 1-1 draw. Tunisia continue their progress which began in 1996 when Polish coach Henri Kasperjzak assembled a young side that he took to the African Nations Cup in South Africa and shocked the continent by taking them all the way to the final. Since then, they have been to the World Cup in 1998 and their leading club side, Esperance, has played in three of the last champions league finals, an indication of the strength in the local game. Senegal showed in 1998 that they had come a long way in reaching the semi-final and were seven minutes away from getting there against Nigeria before Julius Agahowa ended their dream with two goals that decided the match. Zambia, by contrast, have improved in recent months but suffered a severe setback when Angola again beat them in the semi-final of this year's COSAFA Castle Cup at home on penalties. Incensed fans stoned cars outside the stadium. Though the likes of Harry Milanzi and Gift Kampamba are performing well, the team is just not in the same class as its group rivals. Zambia's European-based players, with the exception of Moses Sichone, have been unremarkable while the opposition have seasoned players who have established themselves in the leagues of Germany, France, Belgium and Holland. In addition, the local league's of Tunisia and Egypt are among the best and most competitive on the continent, producing quality players who are not found wanting at the highest level. Though recent form has not been promising, Zambia's football-loving fans will continue to back the team to the hilt. If only the performances on the pitch could match their desire to see the team succeed.
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