On Saturday, June 17, Ivory Coast will play Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in a qualifier for the African Cup of Nations.
The hosts were defeated 3-1 by the Elephants in their campaign opener, but they have since recovered and are currently in position to qualify for the finals next year.
Patson Daka of Leicester City scored both goals for Avram Grant’s team as Zambia defeated Lesotho 2-0 in their last group match.
Read Also:Afcon 2023: Morocco the best team in Africa – South Africa’s Broos
Zambia is in second place in the group with nine points after 12 games, and a win on Saturday will ensure qualification.
While this has been happening, Ivory Coast has had a strong qualifying campaign and has already qualified as the hosts.
The AFCON 2023 hosts defeated Comoros 2-0 in their last qualifying game with Ibrahim Sangare and Barcelona’s Franck Kessie both on the score sheet.
The visitors are atop the standings with ten points while Zambia needs a win to stand the chance of playing in the AFCON next year.
Here is how both teams line up for the game.
Zambia Starting XI
LAWRENCE MULENGA (GK)
TANDI MWAPE
RODERICK KABWE
KELVIN KAPUMBU
STOPPILA SUNZU
FRANKIE MUSONDA
LUBAMBO MUSONDA (C)
KINGS KANGWA
PATSON DAKA
EMMANUEL BANDA
FASHION SAKALA
Ivory Coast Starting XI
CHARLES FOLLY (GK)
SÈRGE AURIER (C)
GHISLAIN KONAN
IDRISSA DOUMBIA
ERIC BAILLY
SIMON DELI
IBRAHIM SANGARÉ
FRANCK KESSIÉ
JONATHAN BAMBA
CHRISTIAN KOUAMÉ
JEAN-PHILIPPE KRASSO