Zambia’s Shepolopolo has been drawn in Group B of the Total 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Championship where they will face defending champions Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

During the draw in Accra on Sunday night, hosts Ghana were drawn with Cameroon, Algeria and Mali in Group A.

Zambia’s group will be based in the coastal city of Cape Coast with Bruce Mwape’s side opening its account on November 18 against Kenya.

The next game will be against the Super Falcons of Nigeria on November 21 before concluding group matches against South Africa on November 24.

Preparations for the Zambian team are underway with a provisional squad already in camp. The team secured a training camp in Nigeria prior to the tournament to acclimatize to West African conditions.

Nigeria have won the competition eight times and will be going into this year’s edition as defending champions.

Shepolopolo fullback Rachel Nachula said the squad was too confident to be intimidated by the record Nigeria was holding in the tournament.

“With or without a record, we will play to win every game. We are also a very good side and we are hungry for greater levels in football so we will not fear big names,” said Nachula.

The top two sides in the groups will progress to the semi-finals. This year’s competition, to be held in the West African country for the first time will also serve as the African qualifiers to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The top three teams will qualify for the World Cup to be held in France in June next year.

Group A
Ghana
Cameroon
Mali
Algeria

Group B
Nigeria
South Africa
Kenya
Zambia