In a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group F encounter, Zambia is set to take on Morocco in a high-stakes battle that could significantly impact their tournament journeys.
Zambia, despite dropping two points against the group’s lowest-ranked nation, displayed resilience by battling back from a goal and a man down to salvage a late draw on matchday two.
Head coach Avram Grant sees this as evidence of his team’s character and believes they have the potential to secure a top-two finish, aiming for their first AFCON knockout appearance since their title-winning campaign in 2012.
Grant’s optimism is rooted in Zambia’s recent victories over South Africa and the Ivory Coast in 2023, coupled with a draw against DR Congo. The coach is determined to capitalize on these performances and pose a formidable challenge to group leaders Morocco.
On the other side, Morocco, with four points already in hand, is on the brink of securing a Round of 16 berth. Despite a challenging 1-1 draw against DR Congo, Morocco remains unbeaten in their last seven matches, including friendlies. The team carries momentum into the clash with Zambia, driven by their excellent recent group stage record and a desire to secure at least a point that would guarantee a top-two finish.
Players to watch include Kings Kangwa for Zambia, who was on the scoresheet against DR Congo and previously scored in a friendly win over Morocco in 2019. Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech, who produced a double in that friendly and contributed the only goal against DR Congo, will be a key figure for the North African side.
With both teams eager to secure progression in the tournament, the Zambia vs. Morocco clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, potentially shaping the dynamics of Group F in the AFCON.
