Defending champions Zambia are in the enviable position of claiming their seventh Cosafa crown if they can negotiate their way past a highly motivated Lesotho this afternoon at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban. Lesotho is looking to make good on their first final appearance since 2000 and will also be hoping to hand the perfect birthday present to their King. Coach Moses Sichone and his technical staff will be looking to build on their campaign that started slowly with a 1-0 loss to the Flames of Malawi before picking up victories over Comoros and Seychelles in the group stages. Zambia rebounded in grand style in the semi-finals, fending off the challenge from perennial rivals South Africa with a convincing come-from-behind 2-1 win. Today, all that won't matter as they will have to fight for their dream seventh title against Lesotho. Durban has been Chipolopolo's lucky hunting ground, having won two COSAFA Cup titles in 2019 and 2022 respectively. Zambia is also chasing their first back-to-back COSAFA Cup victories since 1997 and 1998 during the inaugural two editions. Should they be successful, Zambia will become the first nation to retain the COSAFA Cup twice. South Africa won it in 2007 and 2008 while Zimbabwe ruled in 2017 and 2018. Coach Moses Sichone has rallied his troops to throw in everything and defend the title. Sichone said the team was wary of the threats posed by Lesotho going into the encounter. "The boys are ready for the match. We expect another tough encounter just like the South Africa game. Lesotho is an experienced team. They have been playing together for a long time now, so we expect them to come at us. We are going to throw in everything and seek to defend the title. We only urge the boys to die a little and make Mother Zambia proud," Sichone said. "We have to be composed both in attack and defending. Looking at the age of Lesotho players, we have to be quick in attack and make every chance count. We urge the boys to be calm and play their lungs out." Sichone is likely to maintain the same starting lineup with Francis Mwansa between the sticks while Killian Kanguluma, Mathews Chabala, Samson Mkandwire, and John Chishimba will complete the back four. Kelvin Kapumbu, Fredrick Mulambia, and Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba are expected to provide cover for the defenders and ensure a smooth transition into the attack, while Golden Mashata, Albert Kangwanda, and Andrew Phiri are expected to lead the attack. Zambia is expected to start as favorites, but Lesotho will be no pushovers. The match promises to be a cracker, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. KICK OFF IS AT 18:00 CAT.