Zambia and Tanzania are set to face off for the first time in the history of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations when they clash in a crucial Group A encounter at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Tuesday.
Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) as both teams aim to secure their first win of the tournament.
Zambia enter the tie following consecutive goalless draws against Sierra Leone and hosts Egypt. While the Southern Africans have remained defensively solid, they are still seeking their first goal of the competition.
This marks the first time Zambia have opened an U-20 AFCON campaign with two 0-0 results, and they now risk going three group matches without scoring — something that has never occurred in their tournament history.
In contrast, Tanzania have suffered two narrow defeats, losing 1-0 to South Africa and Sierra Leone. It is their worst start to a U-20 AFCON campaign, and they remain winless in five tournament appearances overall.
The Taifa Stars are also yet to score in this year’s edition, having managed just seven shots on target across both games.
Historically, Zambia’s record against East African opposition in the tournament is mixed. In three prior encounters — all against Ethiopia — they’ve recorded one win, one draw, and one loss, scoring six goals and conceding seven.
Tuesday’s meeting will also be Tanzania’s first-ever match against a Southern African team in the competition.
Zambia will look to build on their defensive foundation, having used 18 players in their opening two fixtures, with goalkeeper Levison Banda keeping back-to-back clean sheets.
Offensively, however, they will need to improve, particularly after failing to register a single shot on target against Egypt.
Tanzania’s challenge will be to find the back of the net for the first time and earn a historic maiden win.
With elimination looming, both sides know that victory is essential to keeping their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage alive.
