Zambia play Burundi on Mombasa on Sunday in the 2013 Cecafa Cup quarterfinals looking to end an elusive seven year semifinal appearance.
The last time Zambia Cecafa Cup semifinals was in 2006 in Ethiopia where they went on to win the competition under former coach Patrick Phiri in Ethiopia.
Zambia have since then fallen in the first round in 2008, and at the quarterfinal stage in 2009 and 2010.
And coach Patrice Beaumelle faces the unenviable task of playing Burundi for a second time in the tournament whom they beat 1-0 in the first leg last Sunday.
This is after Burundi qualified to the quarterfinals as the best of the two third placed teams in the three-group tournament.
It took a 65th minute goal from Nkana striker Festus Mbewe who scored seven minutes after coming on to see Zambia break the deadlock against Burundi.
It will be interesting to see whether Beaumelle will gamble again on starting Bornwell Mwape who misfired against Burundi before making way for Mbewe.
His brace against weaker opposition Somalia could still get him a nod ahead of Reynold Kampamba to start alongside Mbewe.
The pressure is on Mwape to convince against Burundi this time to end any doubts about his prowess against stronger opposition.
Meanwhile, Beaumelle will be without key defenders Roderick Kabwe and captain Bronson Chama who are both suspended for the quarterfinals.
The duo picked up two yellow cards each in the group stages.
Winner of this match will face winner of the second quarterfinal match at the same venue in Mombasa between Ethiopia and Sudan in the semifinals on December 10 in Kisumu.
Lusaka Times
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