Lesotho Assistant National Team Coach Basia Makepe has likened the game against the Chipolopolo Boys to a final.
Having lost to the Comoros and drawn against the Elephants of Ivory Coast, the Likuena (Crocodiles) are winless in their first two group H matches in the qualifiers.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the third round of matches, Makepe says his boys are well aware of the threat that Zambia possesses through its many professionals.
And Chipolopolo Coach Avram Grant has expressed his displeasure at the limited time professional players have to train with the rest of the team.
The gaffer wants the football world governing body to consider giving African players plying in foreign countries enough time to join their national teams.
Grant, 68 says despite having limited time with the professionals who only started trooping in on Monday, he has a team that is ready for the task ahead.
Zambia welcomes Lesotho at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium this Thursday at 18:00hrs before their return fixture four days later to be played in South Africa.
By Lovemore Sondashi