Zambia will aim to take down tournament debutants Guinea when the teams meet in the quarterfinals of the 2016 African Nations Championship on Sunday. The match is set for the Umuganda Stadium in Gisenyi, kick-off at 18h00 CAT.

The Southern Africans come into the knockout stage having dominated Group D: they picked up seven points from a possible nine to finish top of the standings and kept three successive clean sheets, making them the only team in the tournament to boast such a defensive record.

Chipolopolo’s only worry is that they have scored just two goals. In addition, those goals have come from veterans Isaac Chansa and Chris Katongo – the duo know how to win continental tournaments, having been a part of the Zambian triumph in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, but coach George Lwandamina must be concerned that the rest of his team is yet to step up and take responsibility as they have.

Their opponents, Guinea, have already made a success of their CHAN debut by reaching the quarterfinals from a tough Group C, which included Tunisia, Nigeria and Niger.

The Syli Nationale played to successive 2-2 draws against Tunisia and Niger before facing the Super Eagles in their final match on Tuesday. They were expected to succumb to their fellow West Africans, but a goal from Ibrahima Sory Sankhon on the stroke of half time – and a determined defensive effort – took them to a surprise win and second place on the mini log.

Zambia and Guinea have met in four previous matches according to FIFA statistics, with each team claiming two wins. Their most recent meeting – and their only clash in a continental tournament – saw the Syli Nationale claim a 2-1 victory in Alexandria in the group stage of the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.

The winners will face  DR Congo in the first semifinal in Kigali on Wednesday.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com