• ISSAMPA Djos of DR Congo battles with Rainford Kalaba of Zambia during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on Sunday. Picture SYDNEY MAHLANGU/BACKPAGEPIX

From FELIX MALUNGA –

In Ebebiyin
HAVING been denied an opening day win by DR Congo on Sunday, Zambia this evening return to the Estadio de Ebebiyin battlefront but this time to face old foes, Tunisia in search for a quarter-final berth at the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Chipolopolo looked set to claim victory on the first day of Group B skirmishes until Congolese striker Yannick Bolasie broke the hearts of Zambians with an equaliser on 66 minutes to ensure a 1-1 draw after Given Singuluma had put the 2012 champions ahead just under two minutes.
Coach Honour Janza has set his eyes on reaping all three points from this crucial tie against the Carthage Eagles, the AFCON winners in 2004, who have dominated Zambia since 1989 in 11 encounters.
Tunisia has won six times with Zambia claiming three victories while the other two games ended in draws.
The last time the two former AFCON champions met was at the 2010 Angola tournament on January 13 in Lubango which finished in a 1-1 draw.
But Janza has demanded for a positive attitude from the players and promised to work hard for the maximum points.
“For us, we will be searching for three points from the next game.  We will work hard to go for maximum points for us to be consistent going forward. For us to go forward, we need to be positive in the remaining two games,” Janza told the Zambian media here.
He reiterated that the Chipolopolo were not in Equatorial Guinea to just participate but compete favourably and that the team was looking beyond the group stage.
“If anything, we have to be among the teams to play the quarter-finals and from there we should know which way again. But our aim now is to come out of the group to be among the best two for the quarter-finals,” Janza said.
Facing the defensive Tunisians this evening, Janza is expected to ring some changes to the first 11 after a knee injury in the match against Congo knocked out 2012 AFCON winning midfielder, Nathan Sinkala from the 30th edition.
Nkana midfielder Donashano Malama appears to be the favourite to try and fit in Sinkala’s role for the Carthage Eagles job.
“Tactical changes will be there since Nathan is out. We are going to see somebody else coming in. We won’t do so many changes. We need also to have confidence in everybody. Changes won’t be dramatic. We still want the players to be comfortable and also maintain their cohesion in the team,” Janza added.
First choice goalkeepe Kennedy Mweene, who made some fine saves in the Congo match, goal-poacher Singuluma coupled with the pace and trickery of skipper Rainford Kalaba and dribbling wizard, Chisamba Lungu gives the Chipolopolo the right bite.
Stoppila Sunzu should be able to marshal the backline well to deal with any threats from the Carthage Eagles.
But Belgian George Leekens, whose charges also drew their opener 1-1 with Cape Verde, will be as desperate for the victory and conceded Group B is open and any team at the moment is favourite to progress.
Leekens, who lost key forwards Saber Khalifa and Fakhreddine Ben Youssef to injury before the AFCON started, said he expected the Zambia match to be difficult like any other but was hopeful of qualification to the last eight.
Zambia’s probable line-Kennedy Mweene, Davies Nkausu, Emmanuel Mbola, Kondwani Mtonga, Stoppila Sunzu, Donashano Malama, Given Singuluma, Chisamba Lungu, Ronald Kampamba, Emmanuel Mayuka, Rainford Kalaba.