Frankie Musonda targets dream Salah or Mane showdown as Ayr United star aims for major AFCON 'upsets'

Frankie Musonda is dreaming of tackling Sadio Mane or Mo Salah after swapping the Scottish Championship for a crack at the African Cup of Nations this month.

The Ayr United stopper is a key member of the Zambia squad looking to cause an upset in the Ivory Coast over the next few weeks. And Musonda - who qualifies through his Zambian born father - insists Avram Grant’s side are confident of mounting a serious challenge for the silverware they last won in 2012. The 26-year-old signed off at Ayr with the equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Dunfermline a week ago.

And the former Raith Rovers and Luton Town stopper says going from Somerset Park to the Stade Laurent Pokou, where they will open their Group F campaign against DR Congo next Wednesday, is surreal. Even more so if he got to face Senegal legend Mane or Liverpool and Egypt icon Salah. Musonda said: “I’m very overwhelmed, so fortunate to be in this position and just really looking forward to it. It’s really special for my family who live in Zambia. It’s a weird, overwhelming, experience when I go over there but I love going back to Zambia.

“There’s massive stars involved. Obviously Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are huge names and to be able to share the pitch with either of them would be huge. For my club, I have played against a few stars. But for Zambia, It is incredible the players I have played against and been able to share a pitch with. Yves Bissouma at Mali and Wilfried Zaha for Ivory Coast. When he gets on the ball, it is special. It’s been a while since we’ve been involved in the tournament so for the nation its exciting and we are looking to cause a few upsets there.”

Former Rangers forward Fashion Sakala and Leicester City ace Patson Daka are among the star names for