Preview: Zambia vs. Mauritania - prediction, team news, lineups

With their chances of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup hanging by a thread, Zambia welcome Mauritania to the National Heroes Stadium on Saturday.

On the other hand, the away side make the journey still in search of their first qualifying victory and have only managed to pick up a solitary point so far.

Match preview

Zambia ended a run of two consecutive defeats with a 1-1 draw versus Equatorial Guinea on October 10 in Lusaka.

Beston Chambeshi's men took the lead 20 minutes into the second half through Fashion Sakala before they were pegged back eight minutes from time thanks to Federico Bikoro's equaliser.

The Chipolopolo are third in Group B at the moment, six points behind current leaders Tunisia with two games left to play.

Saturday's hosts now set out to complete a double over the visitors who they beat 2-1 when the sides faced off back in September.

Mauritania held Tunisia to an impressive goalless stalemate at the Stade Olympique in Nouakchott on October 10.

Despite being under the cosh for the majority of the clash, Gerard Buscher's men held firm to record their first point of the qualifying campaign.

The Lions of Chinguetti, who have little to play for this weekend, can head into the game with no added pressure which could work in their favour.

Having won only one competitive match since the turn of the year, now is as good a time as any for Saturday's visitors to record another triumph and move off the bottom of the standings.

Team News

Enock Mwepu was on target in the reverse fixture, and the Brighton man, who has scored in two of his last three club outings, is one to keep an eye on.

Patson Daka recently became the first Zambian player to score in the history of the Premier League and the 23-year-old is expected to lead the line for the home side.

Having seen his side fail to score in each of their last three matches, Gerard Buscher might contemplate making some changes in attack.

This could see the likes of Ismael Diakite make way for Niass Amadou, who is the last Mauritanian player to find the back of the net.

Zambia possible starting lineup:
Chibwe; Chiluya, Chepeshi, Chanda, Mwape; Bwalaya, Banda, Chama; Mwepu, Daka, Musonda

Mauritania possible starting lineup:
Diop; Diaw, N'Diaye, Ba, Abeid; Soueid, Dellahi, Moussa; Ba, Amadou, Camara

We say: Zambia 2-1 Mauritania

With only little at stake, we expect an open and end-to-end affair with goals at both ends. We are also tipping the hosts to emerge victorious at the end of the 90 minutes.

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