Zambia will play Morocco at the Stade de San Pédro in the final group stage match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday.
Both teams have had an unbeaten start to their campaigns, with Zambia having two draws and Morocco having a draw and a win from two games so far.
Zambia, who won their maiden title in 2012, have not reached the knockout stages of the competition since. In their previous outing, Patson Daka rescued a point with an 88th-minute header after Simon Msuva had given Tanzania an 11th-minute lead.
The 1976 champions opened their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Tanzania thanks to goals from Romain Saïss, Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Achraf Hakimi got them off to a flying start with an opening goal in the sixth minute in their previous outing against DR Congo. Silas Katoba Mvumba rescued a point for DR Congo, equalizing in the 76th minute, just 12 minutes after coming off the bench.
With just three points separating first-placed Morocco and bottom-placed Tanzania in the Group F table, all four teams in the group remain in contention to qualify for the knockout round.
Zambia vs Morocco Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have met 18 times in all competitions so far. Unsurprisingly, the 1976 winners have the upper hand in the fight record with 10 wins. Zambia have six wins in this game and just two meetings have ended in deadlocks.
- They have met twice in the AFCON, with both meetings coming in the group stage. The Atlas Lions have an unbeaten record in these meetings, notching a win in 1986 and a draw in 1998.
- The 2012 winners have just one win in their last eight games in this fixture, failing to score in five games in that period.
Zambia vs Morocco Prediction
Chipolopolo they are making their first AFCON appearance after three editions and have fared well in the competition so far, drawing 1-1. Interestingly, they are winless in their last eight AFCON games, with seven games ending in draws.
Roderick Kabwe, who had started both games in the group stage, is out through suspension, so coach Avram Grant is expected to start Lubambo Musonda in his absence.
The Atlas Lions failed to build on their impressive opener and dropped points against DR Congo on Sunday. They have scored at least once in their last 11 AFCON games, so they will be expected to continue their form in this match.
With qualification to the next phase at stake, neither side can afford to lose here. Zambia have played three consecutive 1-1 draws, including friendlies, and have drawn seven of their last eight AFCON games. Morocco, on the other hand, have lost just one of their last seven games in the competition.
With that in mind, the two teams are expected to settle for a low-scoring draw.
Prophecy: Zambia 1-1 Morocco
Zambia vs Morocco betting tips
Tip 1: Result – Draw
Tip 2: Goals – Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Under 2.5 Goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half – Yes
Tip 4: Patson Daka to score or assist anytime – Yes