Zambia boss Herve Renard is targeting top spot in Group A as his side aim to join Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup.
A point against the co-hosts would be enough to seal second place and a spot in the last eight, but a win at the Estadio de Nuevo would see them leapfrog their opponents and qualify as pool winners.
"I will be proud to take Zambia to the quarter-finals," Renard was quoted as saying on www.times.zm. "I will also be happy to take this team to a new level. This team is more experienced and determined than the 2010 squad.
"We want to finish first because we have the ambition to do so. [But] we've not qualified yet."
Zambia caused ripples when they won their opening match against Senegal, who were later knocked out when they lost to Equatorial Guinea.
And with attacking talent like Emmanuel Mayuka, Rainford Kalaba and Christopher Katongo shining, they have a real chance not only to equal their performance two years ago, when they lost in the last eight to Nigeria, but to go further.
Renard was taking nothing for granted, though, saying: "Against Equatorial Guinea, it will not be easy but I think Zambia has the skills to win the match."
For Equatorial Guinea, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, the main aim is to seal top spot and avoid a likely clash with favourites Ivory Coast in the next round.
Coach Gilson Paulo said on www.supersport.com: "We are not there yet.
"We want to win all our matches to finish top in our group."