Two DStv Premiership stars will be a part of a make or break encounter in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tanzania's Abdi Banda who plays for South African top flight side Richards Bay and Zambian Larry Bwalya who plies his trade at Sekhukhune United may both feature when the two nations go head to head on Sunday, 21 January.
Tanzania are bottom of Group F after they were defeated 3-0 by a dominant Morocco side, while Zambia are in third place but lead by just one point after picking up a 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
Apart from the Taifa Stars suffering a hefty loss to the Atlas Lions, the theme of this year's AFCON seems to be tight competition, and this encounter promises to be no different — two teams set to be in a contest that will have fans on the edge of their seats and in awe of the tension.
With two PSL players potentially involved in the clash, it begs the question of whether or not they would be able to make the difference.
Banda was an unused substitute in his side's opening day defeat and Tanzania boss Adel Amrouche may be looking to shake things up in an attempt to make his side more of a defensive force to be reckoned with.
With the 28-year-old's ability to play at centre-back as well as slot into left-back, his versatility could be something the manager is able to take advantage of.
Amrouche admitted that his game plan against Morocco "failed", but did not rule out his team's chance of progressing to the next stage of Africa's showpiece competition.
"I'm trying to stay optimistic. We will correct our errors from this game and focus on the upcoming matches," Amrouche told CAFonline per IPPMEDIA. "It won't be easy but we still have a chance," he added.
Bwalya, meanwhile, came on off the bench during his side's match against DR Congo.
The midfielder made 12 appearances in all competitions for Sekhukhune United this season and has also chipped in with a goal.
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant may see him as an option to help his side win the midfield battle and with 14 international matches under his belt, his relative experience may play a role in achieving that.
After their opener, the Zambia boss asserted that there will be "put in place another tactic to seek victory against Tanzania.”
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