Zimbabwe, Mali face off as Uganda look to stun Zambia

Group D action resumes today when Zimbabwe face Mali while Uganda lock horns with Zambia in the late kick off, both games at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu on day 8 of the 2016 African Nations Championship.

Saturday, January 23, 2016
Uganda Cranes' left-back Joseph Ocaya could keep the captain's armband in case Farouk Miya doesn't feature against Zambia. (Sam Ngendahimana)

Today

Group DZimbabwe vs Mali - 3pm, SS9/RTVUganda vs Zambia - 6pm, SS9/RTV

Group D action resumes today when Zimbabwe face Mali while Uganda lock horns with Zambia in the late kick off, both games at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu on day 8 of the 2016 African Nations Championship.

It’s a do-or-die situation for Zimbabwe, should they lose to Mali in the 3 o’clock kick-off, and they will be all but out of the continental competition, having lost 1-0 in the opening game against Zambia on Tuesday.

Making their third CHAN appearance, the 2011 quarter-finalists, Mali who were held by Uganda on a 2-all draw, will be seeking for a win to boost chances for reaching the last eight.

The last time Mali and Zimbawe met, on January 25, 2015 in a FIFA international match, the game ended 2-1 in favor of Zimbabwe. In their last five meeting since 2002, Zimbabwe have three wins, Mali one win and they have drawn once.

In another encounter, , Uganda will be up against Zambia in a game that means a lot for both sides but especially to the Cranes, who would be edging closer to preliminary stages dismissal for a third consecutive time, if they lose today.

Chipolopolo and the Cranes have a huge and balanced head-to-head record dating from 1964. The last time that the two countries played was in a friendly game on March 5, 2014 which the later lost 2-1.

In their last 34 meetings, Zambia have won 15 times compared to Uganda’s 13 while both teams have drawn 6 times. However, both sides have never met in CHAN before, a fact that spices up today’s clash. 

Should George Lwandamina’s Zambia win, they book their place in the quarter-finals, joining Rwanda and DR Congo, who qualified on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

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