Africa Cup of Nations

Preview: Zimbabwe vs. Zambia - prediction, team news, lineups

By Adepoju Marvelous | 27 March 2021

Sports Mole previews Monday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash between Zimbabwe and Zambia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Having already qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, Zimbabwe welcome Zambia to the National Sports Stadium in Harare for a dead rubber clash on Monday.

Meanwhile, the visitors will not be featuring in the tournament after what has been a disappointing qualifying campaign.

Match preview

Milutin Sredojevic, now in charge of Zambia, pictured in 2019 © Reuters

Following a 3-3 draw against Algeria on Thursday, Zambia's hopes of booking their place at next year's finals in Cameroon were dashed.

That stalemate provided just a fourth point in five games for Milutin Sredojevic's men, who remain at the bottom of Group H.

However, the Chipolopolo could finish the group in third place should they manage to better Botswana's result in the final round of matches.

Monday's visitors also have the chance to exact revenge on their hosts after a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture two years ago.

Recent clashes between the sides leave little to choose between the teams, as the last six meetings have produced three wins apiece.

Zimbabwe are headed to the AFCON for the third edition in a row courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Botswana at the Francistown Stadium on Thursday.

Perfect Chikwende's superb strike inside the opening 15 minutes was enough to complete the job for Zdravko Logarusic's men.

The Warriors have never made it past the group stages of the tournament, but they have another chance to break that duck.

Monday's hosts have been beaten on the last two occasions that the visitors have come into town, so they will be wary of suffering a third consecutive defeat.

Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations qualifying form:

Zimbabwe form (all competitions):

Zambia Africa Cup of Nations qualifying form:

Zambia form (all competitions):

Team News

Patson Daka delivered a man-of-the-match performance with his brace last time out and once again, his side will be heavy reliant on him.

Khama Billiat was Zambia's tormentor-in-chief when the sides last met, so it is a relief for the visitors that he is unavailable for the match.

Perfect Chikwende has been the biggest beneficiary of Billiat's absence, and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

With almost nothing to play for, both managers will be expected to make a couple of changes to their starting XIs for this one.

Zimbabwe possible starting lineup:
Shumba; Bhasera, Dzingai, Hadebe, Chimwemwe; Kamusoko, Musona, Mahachi, Karuru, Chikwende; Dzvukamanja

Zambia possible starting lineup:
Chibwe; Chama, Banda, Chongo; Sinkala, Mwepu, Sakala, Lungu; Chama, Mulenga, Daka

SM words green background

We say: Zimbabwe 1-1 Zambia

Both teams already have their fates sealed so they can approach the game with no added pressure on them. We expect the match to be an end-to-end affair where the sides will cancel each other out.