2025 AFCON Group A Match Preview: Zambia vs Morocco

Yet to hit their best form at the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco face Zambia at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Monday, aiming to end the group stage on a positive note.

After needing two second-half goals to defeat Comoros, the Atlas Lions then failed to pull up trees from open play in their 1-1 draw with Mali, leaving fans unconvinced before their final Group A contest against the Copper Bullets.

While most eyes will be on Morocco in Monday’s final match of Group A, Zambia will quietly hope for a positive result that could seal their place in the last 16.

Entering the concluding match with two points from as many games, Moses Sichone’s team have done commendably to avoid defeat after two rounds.

Having levelled late on against Mali in the opening game, with Patson Daka notching an equaliser in second-half stoppage time, Chipolopolo were unable to score against Comoros in the second match, leaving the 2012 champions third in the table, albeit level on two points with Mali and one above Comoros.

With the Copper Bullets still able to end as group winners if they win, or be eliminated if they lose, and results in their group and elsewhere go against them, they would have taken this opportunity had it been presented before a ball was kicked.

Considering that they have not advanced beyond the group stage since winning the title for the first and only time at AFCON 2012, Monday presents the Copper Bullets with an opportunity to end their 11-match winless sequence at this level.

Morocco will offer no handouts, as they themselves are looking to win the approval of supporters after two games that have not hit the level of expectation demanded before the tournament started circa a week ago.

While they have benefitted from two penalties in their opening matches against Comoros and Mali, missing one and scoring the other, Walid Regragui’s team need more bite and creativity from open play to please their expectant supporters.

Videos emerged of some of the locals showing their displeasure after the 1-1 draw with usually defensively resolute Mali, leaving the Atlas Lions assured of advancement to the last 16, although their final standing remains undetermined.

The 1976 champions can no longer suffer a shock exit on home soil, with a top-two place or a spot as one of the four best third-placed sides guaranteed.

With the anxiety of an early exit gone, Morocco now have to deal with a different sort of pressure as they strive to show the best version of themselves for the first time in Rabat.

Zambia possible starting lineup:

Mwanza; M Banda, B Sakala, Chanda, Musonda; Tembo, Simukonda; L Banda, Kangwa, F Sakala; Daka

Morocco possible starting lineup:

Bono; Mazraoui, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Salah-Eddine; El Aynaoui, Ben Seghir, Ounahi; Diaz, En-Nesyri, El Khannouss