Zambia open their 2015 African Nations Cup Group B campaign against DR Congo at the Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, but do so amid rumblings of disappointment from coach Honor Janza.
Janza is unhappy with the team's build-up to the competition - as well as the fact that he has not been given a contract by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). He has been quick to take his grievances to the media.
Chipolopolo, shock winners of the 2012 Nations Cup that was co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, have battled with form; the pressure of living up to that remarkable performance three years ago might also be getting to new man Janza.
The coach was disappointed that the team left their Johannesburg base three days later than scheduled, meaning they arrived in Ebebiyín only on Friday, 48 hours before their opener against the tricky Congolese.
Janza also expressed disappointment that he was still interim coach of the side, pleading for a full-time contract from FAZ. This prompted a rebuttal from FAC president Kalusha Bwalya.
"I don't want us to be distracted," Bwalya said. "It's tough enough to play an Afcon. Coach Janza has the full backing of FAZ, players and all.
He wouldn't be in charge of the team if we did not believe in his quality and ability.
"I have always said he is doing a good job and we hope he can be there for a long time. He deserves a chance. Let's concentrate on our games which will be difficult."
Zambia have discarded some of the old guard for this tournament, including veteran forward Chris Katongo, and their only warm-up match against international opposition came in a 1-0 loss to South Africa on January 4.
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There is a worry they may be a little under-cooked for this competition.
DR Congo have had a low-key build-up and will be led by eccentric goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba.
There has long been a connection between Zambia and DR Congo football, heightened in recent years by the number of Chipolopolo players who have signed for top Congolese side TP Mazembe.
Kidiaba revealed last month he would retire from the international game after this tournament and is looking for a swansong.
"It's an opportunity not to be missed," he told reporters. "As captain of the national team, I want to help my country reach a respectable spot beyond our group in Equatorial Guinea.
"There is no small country in our group but we need to aim higher as a team. The game that TP Mazembe fans are looking forward to is the opening game against Zambia because Rainford Kalaba and Given Singuluma are well known in Lubumbashi and throughout the country."
DR Congo qualified as the best third-place finisher in the qualification group phase, but did well in a pool that also included heavyweigths Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon.
There have been regular meetings between these two sides down the years, the last a friendly in Lubumbashi in 2008 that finished 0-0.
