Namibia take on Zambia in Group D of the African Nations Championships on Wednesday evening.

Bobby Samaria's men are already eliminated from the competition after losing their opening two group games, but Chipolopolo have a good chance to progress to the knockout stages, having picked up four points so far.

Match preview

Namibia are making just their second appearance in the competition after reaching the quarter-finals back in 2018.

An opening day 3-0 defeat to Guinea was followed up by a 1-0 loss at the hands of Tanzania last time out, meaning the Southern African nation are heading home at the group stage this time around.

The narrow defeat over the weekend extended Namibia's winless run to six games in all competitions and left them searching for their opening goal of the tournament.

Although qualification is out of their reach, the Brave Warriors will want to restore some pride and at least find the back of the net before their time in Cameroon comes to an end.

Zambia saw off Tanzania in their first fixture of the tournament before they were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea over the weekend.

If group leaders Guinea defeat Tanzania in the other Group D fixture then Milutin Sredojevic's side would progress irrespective of their result in midweek, however, the East Africans will know a convincing victory could guarantee top spot, and that is what they will be aiming to do.

Zambia have a decent record in this competition after finishing in third place in 2009, before reaching the last eight in both 2016 and 2018.

Head coach Sredojevic will be aiming to maintain that good run and is likely to go for the win from the off to ensure his side progress from the group.

Namibia African Nations Championship form: LL
Namibia form (all competitions): LDLLLL

Zambia African Nations Championship form: WD
Zambia form (all competitions): LDLWWW

Team News

With nothing to play for Namibia may be tempted to give some game time to several fringe players.

That means the likes of Llewelyn Stanley, Panduleni Nekundi and Isaskar Gurirab could feature from the first whistle.

Sredojevic has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from coming into this crucial encounter and is unlikely to make many changes from the side that snatched a draw last time out.

One man who will be pushing for a start, though, is Spencer Sautu. The winger came on and scored the goal that rescued a point against Guinea and could be rewarded for a place in the starting lineup in midweek.

Namibia possible starting lineup:
Maova; Ngaruka, Martin, Kamberipa, Petrus; Stanley, Papama, Fredericks, Heita; Ambrosius, Gurirab

Zambia possible starting lineup:
Chibwe; Chilongoshi, Banda, Mwape, Chepeshi; Mafwenta, Kapumbu; Katema, Sikombe, Sautu; Chabula

We say: Namibia 0-2 Zambia

Zambia come into this clash as heavy favourites, given how the tournament has gone for the two teams so far. Samaria's side are yet to register a goal to date, and we think their barren spell could be extended in midweek. Chipolopolo should run out comfortable winners and get the result they need to advance to the quarter-finals.

Top betting tip

Previews by email