Needing a point to secure their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia take on Ivory Coast in Group H of the qualifiers at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday.
Les Elephants, who will be hosting the 34th edition of the continental tournament, have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign so far despite having an automatic qualification ticket.
Match preview
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After a rough start to the qualifiers, a run of three consecutive victories have put Zambia on the verge of a first Africa Cup of Nations appearance since 2015.
The Chipolopolo suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ivory Coast in their group opener in June 2022 but edged out Comoros 2-1 in Lusaka four days later to get their campaign back on track.
This was followed with a dominant 3-1 victory over Lesotho in their first outing of 2023, three days before beating the Likuena 2-0 in the second of their double-header at the Dobsonville Stadium on March 26.
Since storming to glory in 2012, Zambia have been disappointing on the continental stages, following group-stage exits in 2013 and 2015, before failing to qualify for the subsequent three editions altogether.
However, they are on the cusps of an AFCON return and an 18th appearance at the tournament as they hold a healthy six-point lead over third-placed Comoros heading into the final two matches.
Zambia took on Kuwait in a friendly on Monday, with Al-Azraq claiming a shock 3-0 victory courtesy of two goals from Shabib Al-Khaldi either side of Khaled Ibrahim's 51st-minute strike.
Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant, who took over the reins from Aljosa Asanovic last year, will look to maintain his 100% win ratio in competitive matches, having managed both games against Lesotho back in March.
Off the back of last year's disappointing AFCON run in Cameroon, the goal for Ivory Coast will be to make use of their host nation's advantage to secure a first continental crown since 2015.
After going unbeaten in the group stages last year, Les Elephants were condemned to a round-of-16 exit courtesy of a penalty-shootout defeat to seven-time African champions Egypt.
Despite their automatic ticket to the 2023 AFCON, Jean-Louis Gasset's men have enjoyed a stellar run in the qualifiers, where they have won all but one of their four group games so far.
Ivory Coast only dropped points against Lesotho last June, when Veselin Jelusic's men turned in a superb defensive performance at the Dobsonville Stadium to force a share of the spoils.
The two-time African champions, who are one of six sides who have already guaranteed their AFCON spot, have featured in each of their last nine editions, a run stretching back to 2004, when they failed to qualify for the continental showpiece.
Team News
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Veteran defender Stoppila Sunzu, who was in the AFCON-winning team back in 2012, makes a return to the Zambia squad for the first time since November 2019 and should start at the back alongside Ayr United man Frankie Musonda.
At the opposite end of the pitch, we expect an unchanged front two of Fashion Sakala and Leicester City man Patson Daka, while Cadiz striker Francisco Mwepu should start from the bench.
Midtjylland forward Edward Chilufya picked up an injury while in action against Aalborg in the Danish top flight and has been omitted from the squad, while Benson Sakala also continues his spell on the sidelines.
Gasset has called up 22 players for this weekend's qualifier, including the Premier League duo of Maxwel Cornet and skipper Serge Aurier, who has 84 senior caps to his name.
Evan Ndicka who has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A side Roma has earned his debut call-up for Les Elephants, joining the likes of Simon Adingra, Idrissa Doumbia and Lille midfielder Jonathan Bamba in line for a first international cap.
Sivasspor man Max Gradel is currently two appearances shy of third-placed Didier Drogba in the nation's all-time appearance list and should bring experience to the midfield this weekend.
Zambia possible starting lineup:
Nsabata; Kabwe, Musonda, Sunzu, Chapeshi; E Banda, Lungu, L Banda, Kangwa; F Sakala, Daka
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Ayayi; Konan, N'dicka, Deli, Aurier; Sangare, Kessie, Seri, Gradel; Corner, Kouame
We say: Zambia 1-1 Ivory Coast
After a poor start to the campaign, Zambia have turned their fortune around in style and are now on the cusp of a return to the continental tournament. Ivory Coast head into the weekend with a star-studded squad, but we predict that the Chipolopolo will hold out for a draw in front of their home supporters.
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