By Kennedy Gondwe BBC Sport, Lusaka

Phiri is confident of a place in Tunisia

Zambia maintain their grip on group three, after beating Tanzania 2-0 in Lusaka on Saturday.

A brace from burly striker Harry Milanzi ensured the Chipolopolo were still in their group's driving seat.

Milanzi got his first goal in the 44th minute, heading home a cross that sent 30,000 spectators, including Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa into jubilation.

Zambia enjoyed much of the offensive play in the opening quarter, relying on crosses from Joseph Musonda.

His efforts almost paid off after five minutes, when Tanzania's goalkeeper Juma Kasaja parried Milton Tembo's shot.

Kasaja was the most outstanding player in the Taifa Stars line-up and kept Tanzania's defeat within a respectable margin.

After the break, the Taifa Stars tried to get back into the game.

Mizkay Maxime's shot came close to evening the score for the Tanzanians but goalkeeper Davies Phiri came to Zambia's rescue in the 47th minute.

The Chipolopolo could have stretched their lead when Chaswe Nsofwa laid a pass which went across Tanzania's goal. Milanzi failed to latch on to the chance.

But he made up for the miss when he completed his brace in the 81st minute, as he took advantage of a goalmouth scramble.

Tanzania coach Mshindo Msolla attributed their loss to fatigue and lack of exposure.

"The distance we covered by road is just too long. We covered a 36-hour 1800 kilometre road journey from Dar- es-Salaam to Lusaka," he said.

Zambia coach Patrick Phiri said the win against the Taifa Stars gives his team a fighting chance of earning a spot in Tunisia.