Watch Zambia v Nigeria Live Stream Zambia v Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations Youtube video Soccer review highlight result Peter Odemwingie believes Nigeria must beat Zambia in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals if they are to take any positives out of the competition.
Two years ago the Super Eagles were dumped out by hosts Ghana at the same stage but they are keen to make amends when they come up against this year's surprise contenders.
The Zambian team are abuzz with confidence ahead of the last-eight clash in Lubango, but the Lokomotiv Moscow forward is confident the west Africans can silent them.
"We need to be brave against them,'' Odemwingie said. "I do not think Nigeria are afraid of anybody. All we do is that we respect teams, just as they respect us.
"If you look at the results already achieved in this competition, big teams have been shocked, but their character and pedigree has brought them back.
"We went out in the quarter-final two years ago, we can't afford to lose out again at this stage or else we have not done anything to improve in the last two years.''
Odemwingie, who has scored two goals so far in the tournament, also revealed that Nigeria's 3-0 win over Mozambique in their final group game has helped to lift spirits after below-par performances in their previous games.
He added: "Against Mozambique, Nigeria really announced our entry into the competition. My goals have brought out our confidence and now we believe we can go further to win the cup.''
However, Shaibu Amodo's team will have to make do without captain Joseph Yobo, as the Everton defender has been ruled out of the competition due to a hamstring injury.
Zambia midfielder Felix Katongo is not fazed by the size of the task faced by his underdog side.
The Chipolopolo surprisingly topped Group D ahead of the likes of Cameroon and Tunisia to seal a place in the last eight for the first time since 1996.
Katongo told www.mtnfootball.com: "Football is not played on paper. The result is only after 90 minutes.
"We respect big players, but on the pitch we are the same. The team that works the hardest will win the game.
"We were not surprised (by our progress). This is a new era for Zambian football.''
However, Herve Renard's team will have to make do without influential midfielder Kalaba Rainford, who played key roles in the 3-2 loss to Cameroon and 2-1 win over Gabon in the opening stages.