Zambia captain Rainford Kalaba says guest side Ghana will be a welcome challenge at the 2015 Cosafa Cup.
The Black Stars will make their debut at the Cosafa Cup that will be held in South Africa from May 17-31.
"Cosafa will be more challenging because it’s the first time we are seeing a team from the western region participating and because we are defending champions, we just have work hard because being champions is not easy to retain the trophy," Kalaba said.
Both The Black Stars and Zambia have been handed a preliminary group stage bye and will enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage.
The two sides are also set to meet in the semifinals on May 27 should they successfully negotiate their respective quarterfinal ties.
Ghana will in the quarterfinals play winner from Group B that comprises of Madagascar, Lesotho, Swaziland and Cecafa guest team Tanzania.
Namibia, Seychelles, Mauritius and four-time champions Zimbabwe will do battle in Group A to face Zambia in the quarterfinals.