Nelspruit — ZAMBIAN soccer fans in Nelspruit are confident of the Chipolopolo victory over Burkina Faso tonight when the two sides clash in a crucial Group C match at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association (CSFA) chairperson, Yotam Mwanza said at Protea Hotel in Nelspruit yesterday that the fans were confident that goals which coach Herve Renard promised would be scored today.

Mwanza said fans were optimistic that the Chipolopolo would rise to the occasion and put their campaign back on track and successfully defend the AFCON.

"We just have to win this match and maintain our status as champions. As fans, we have assured the players of our support and we have also assured them that other fans are on their way to render more support," he said.

Mwanza, who has 25 fans in Nelspruit, said he was expecting more supporters to arrive today for the game and urged Zambians to rally behind the champions in their quest to defend the title.

Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association (ZAVOSOFA) chairperson Peter Makembo was equally confident of the team's progression to the quarter-finals, saying the team had what it takes to beat Burkina Faso.

Makembo said from Johannesburg that the team needed all the support they could get from all Zambian fans in South Africa and locally.

"As you know, I am based in Johannesburg where I have mobilised some fans to come and cheer the team until the final whistle. All we want is for the team to beat Burkina Faso so that we remain on course to retain the title," he said.

Another soccer fan, Charles Kasia, said the fans were already looking forward to the quarter-finals because the Chipolopolo would rise to the occasion against Burkina Faso and clinch the qualification.

"We are not worried about Zambia's performance so far because we know how these boys can play. We just have to continue supporting them because they will deliver and take the cup back to Zambia," he said.