The stage is set for a fiery encounter this evening as Zambia and Tanzania renew their 57-year-old footballing rivalry in a must-win Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group F clash. Kick-off at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, Ivory Coast, is at 7:00 PM Zambian time. Both teams come into the match desperate for points after contrasting opening results. Zambia earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against DR Congo, while Tanzania were humbled 3-0 by Morocco. With only the top two teams guaranteed progression to the knockout stages, tonight's encounter is effectively a do-or-die battle for both nations. Zambia boasts a formidable record against their East African neighbors, having remained unbeaten in the last 17 years. Their last defeat came in a 2007 friendly match. However, past statistics may count for little when facing a wounded Tanzania side eager to prove a point. If Zambia replicates their sluggish performance against Congo, they could find themselves facing a steep uphill climb. This marks Tanzania's third AFCON appearance. Their debut in 1980 brought a 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast, their only positive result in the continental tournament. They lost all their group matches in their second appearance in 2019 and are still searching for their first AFCON win. Today's clash against their familiar foes presents a golden opportunity to break that unwanted duck. Zambia, on the other hand, are back on the continental stage after missing out on the previous three editions. A youthful Chipolopolo Boys side under the guidance of Avram Grant has injected renewed optimism into the nation. It will be intriguing to see how both teams cope with the Ivorian heat and battle it out for survival in Group F. Patson Daka, who surprisingly failed to score against Congo for the first time in six games, will be looking to get off the mark in this tournament. His pace and finishing prowess will undoubtedly be a cause for concern for the Tanzanian defense. With so much at stake and a rich history between the two sides, tonight's clash promises to be a riveting spectacle.