Name: Zambia and Morocco brace for high-stakes AFCON group clash
Uploaded: 2025-12-29T09:23:21.458Z
Duration: 1 min 52 s
Description: With both teams under pressure and little margin for error, the upcoming clash promises intensity, history, and high stakes.

With both teams under pressure and little margin for error, the upcoming clash promises intensity, history, and high stakes.

Marrakesh

Zambia and Morocco are gearing up for a pivotal group stage match at the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Marrakesh. Zambia, following a 1-1 draw with Mali, must secure a result to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. 

Morocco, who were recently held to a controversial draw by Mali, are looking to rebound and may benefit from the return of their captain after an ankle injury. Both teams have previously won the AFCON title, making this encounter highly competitive and significant for their tournament ambitions.

Zambia and Morocco brace for high-stakes AFCON group clash

Zambia trained on Sunday ahead of a decisive clash against tournament host Morocco in the final round of the group matches at the 2025 African Cup of Nations. After drawing one-one with Mali, the Cipollo Polo must get a result to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. The history tells us everything. Morocco, they have won AFCON. Zambia has won AFCON. That tells us that this game is actually a 50-50 game. Anything can happen in football. So we are very much ready not only for individuals, but the whole entire team. What we want is just to make sure that we work together as a team and obviously carry a day. That's the most important thing. We are not looking at names. Zambia has beaten big names before. Won the Africa Cup against Ivory Coast. That was the time of Didier Drogba. They are actually the best generation of football players, but we still won the Africa Cup. Even this one, we are going there with full confidence and ready to fight. Morocco, meanwhile, are aiming to bounce back after being whistled off the pitch following a controversial draw with Mali. There was some positive news for the hosts, as defender and captain are just closer to a return after an ankle injury. The good news, as the coach said, is that I hope that after today's training session, I'll be able to play my first few minutes with the team and regain my confidence because it's been a long time since I've played. And then it's the coach's decision. He sees me as ready to play afterward. That's his decision. Otherwise, I'll help my team in another way. After frustration against Mali, the Atlas Lions will be eager to satisfy home fans. But Zambia believe another African upset could be on the cards.

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