HAVING never met each other since 2012, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea will on Thursday cross paths in a World Cup qualifier at the Malabo Stadium in the Central African country.
The last time Zambia played Guinea, Christopher Katongo’s goal was enough to separate the two teams in a Group game at the tournament that Zambia ended up winning.
The stage is different in the encounter but the aim for both team is the same – to win the match and keep Group B leaders Tunisia in check.
Beston Chambeshi has a number of issues to worry about going into this game such as injuries to some of his key players like Enock Mwepu and Evans Kangwa who have been ruled out of the game.
Their back – up in Emmanuel Banda and Edward Chilufya are not able to travel to Malabo after they had issues with their VISA. Regardless there is no excuse for Chambeshi.
Zambians are demanding a winning after the team failed to record one the last time they played after losing 2 – 0 to Tunisia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola last month.
Chambeshi will have something to make him smile as the team was on Wednesday joined by strikers Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala who ply their trade in the United Kingdom.
Zambia are second of Group B with three points at par with their hosts while Tunisia are on the summit with six points having won their two opening matches.
Mauritania are bottom of the log with no point having recorded back to back losses to Zambia and Equatorial Guinea.
They basement team faces Tunisia in a late kick – off on Thursday.
Zambia has spent close to a week at a training camp in Cameroon shaping up for the match which is a must win for both teams.