Zambia suffered a 0-2 home loss to Tunisia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The hosts interim coach Beston Chambeshi had started the campaign with an away 2-1 win in Mauritania and wanted to build on this result.
However, Tunisia were the first to show their intent in this Group B match.
Little wonder, Wahbi Khazri converted from the penalty spot in the eighth minute.
Zambia pushed forward for a goal. Dickson Chapa had the chance to level matters but he shot over the bar in the 31st minute.
Tunisia led 1-0 at half-time.
In the second half, Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba replaced Edward Chilufya while Boyd Musonda paved way for Clatous Chota Chama in the 58th minute.
Zambia were without their England-based stars Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu who played in Mauritania.
However, the changes did not pay dividends for Zambia.
Instead, it was Tunisia which added the second goal through Ali on the stroke of full-time.
Tunisia started the group’s campaign with a win over Equatorial Guinea and they still lead the pack with six points.
Starting line-ups:
Zambia: Mwenya Chibwe, 3. Benedict Chepeshi, 13. Roderick Kabwe (C), 15. Dominic Chanda, 5. Solomon Sakala, 21. Boyd Musonda, Dickson Chapa 19, 8. Lubambo Musonda, 14. Edward Chilufya, 10. Prince Mumba, Brian Mwila 22
Tunisia: Ben Mustapha, Hamza Mathlouthi, Yessine Meriah, Dylann Bronn, Ali Maaloul, Elyess Skhiri, Issa Laidouni, Ferjani Sassi, Ben Youssef, Seifddine Jaziri, Wahbi Khazri