Zambia's impressive displays in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers generated genuine hope that the good times would soon be back for the 2012 African champions, and the arrival of Sven Vandenbroeck was expected to further accelerate the team's revival.

As the Southern Africans survey the wreckage in the aftermath of yet another crushing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, however, it is not easy to escape the conclusion that Vandenbroeck's appointment in July actually precipitated Zambia's stunning...

Hosts Zambia have been drawn in a tough Group A at the 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Championships to be staged in Kitwe from December 2-14 as they seek to regain the trophy they last won two years ago.

Zambia have been drawn alongside Malawi, Mozambique and newcomers Réunion, who will bring an extra dimension and something of the unknown as an associate member of COSAFA.

All three will present a stern challenge for Zambia, who were crowned 2016 African champions, but disappointingly exited in the...

KweséESPN takes a look at the biggest winners and losers after the first four match days of Africa Cup of Nations 2019 qualifying.

WINNERS

First Qualifiers
There can be no bigger winner than Madagascar, who became the first country to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The homeland of the CAF president did so in record-breaking style -- first, with two full games to spare, and doing so for the first time in their history. Great news for the country, although television commentators...