By SPORTS REPORTER
ZAMBIA set up a scintillating quarterfinal showdown with the defending champions Morocco after a hard-earned 0-0 draw against Namibia on Wednesday at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cameroon.
And team captain Adrian Chama says the team will prepare adequately for the quarterfinal game against the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
The Chipolopolo progressed from Group D to the last eight with the point they needed after drawing with their southern African neighbours.
Meanwhile, Zambia also maintained a record of never losing a group game in four CHAN tournament appearances by drawing 0-0 with Namibia.
Guinea scored a late equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw with Tanzania and seal a place in the quarterfinals.
The Zambians will play holders Morocco in the next round while Guinea face Rwanda. Both matches are on Sunday.
Guinea topped the group on goal difference after finishing level on five points with Zambia, Tanzania were a point behind and Namibia bottom with a single point.
Tanzania were just eight minutes away from winning the group when Victor Kantabadouno scored the crucial goal that was enough for Guinea to progress instead.
Tomorrow’s quarter-finals, of the tournament for locally-based players only, sees Mali face Congo Brazzaville and DR Congo take on hosts Cameroon.
Hosts Cameroon edged into the last eight as runners-up in Group A with a win and two draws while Mali topped the pool with two victories and a draw.
And skipper Chama said Morocco will pose a greater challenge, but the Chipolopolo will be ready. “Morocco will be a bigger challenge, but one which we are ready for. Coming into this tournament we had set our targets as a team, the first one was to go past the group stage, today we reached that target, we will prepare adequately for Sunday’s game against Morocco.” Chama said.
