VETERAN Zambian midfielder Isaac Chansa believes the current crop of Chipolopolo players could make history by becoming the first to lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

Chansa, who plays club football at South African giants Orlando Pirates, was speaking after Zambian national team coach Herve Renard announced a 23-member squad for the Afcon in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, in Johannesburg yesterday.

The squad includes TP Mazembe striker Given Singuluma. Former Moroka Swallows striker James Chamanga has recovered in time to make the trip to west Africa, with Pirates-bound Evans Kangwa also in.

Chansa said: "I have no doubt we have the strongest possible squad. They have more experience than the previous one in the same tournament in Angola in 2010. We want to make history by being the first Zambian squad to win the Afcon finals."

The last time Zambia won a medal at the Afcon finals was in 1996 in Johannesburg where they defeated Ghana in a third place play-off.