Comoros and Zambia played out the first 0-0 draw of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in a low-key Group A encounter in Casablanca, leaving both teams with mixed feelings ahead of their final group-stage matches.
Key Moments of the Match
Chances were rare in a tactical contest, but the pivotal moment came midway through the first half. Comoros striker Myziane Maolida appeared to score from close range after excellent wing play by Rafiki Said, calmly walking the ball into an empty net from five yards.
However, Mauritian referee Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall, with the aid of VAR, correctly disallowed the effort after spotting a foul in the build-up. Yacine Bourhane had committed a late challenge, stepping on Owen Tembo’s foot, nullifying what would have been a simple goal.
Despite the disallowed strike, Comoros dominated the opening stages and continued to create the better chances. In the second half, Faiz Selemani almost put the Coelacanths ahead with a header from a deep cross that struck the roof of the net, leaving Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza stranded.
Comoros’ Stronger Performance
The result may be more favorable for Comoros, who now hold one point and look to secure qualification from Group A in their final game against Mali in Casablanca on Monday at 19:00 GMT.
Comoros’ goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, the standout performer on their AFCON debut in 2021, was rarely tested in this match. Early in the first half, Pandor nearly gifted Zambia a chance when he overplayed in his area, but a fortunate bounce after a tackle from Patson Daka kept him safe.
Throughout the match, Comoros controlled much of the possession and dictated play, a marked improvement from their 30% possession in their opening 2-0 defeat against Morocco. Before having his goal ruled out, Maolida also had a far-post shot blocked by sliding Zambian centre-back Dominic Chanda.
Zambia’s Struggles Continue
Zambia, also known as the Chipolopolo, struggled to find the breakthrough despite controlling 66% of possession at times. Their best first-half effort came from Kings Kangwa, whose dipping left-footed strike just cleared the bar from the edge of the box.
The result extends Zambia’s winless streak at AFCON to 12 games since they were champions in 2012, leaving their hopes of advancing dependent on a strong performance against host nation Morocco in their final group match in Rabat.
While Zambia generated some late pressure, earning free-kicks and corners in added time, they could not repeat the heroics of their 1-1 draw against Mali in their opening match.
What This Means for Group A
- Comoros: With one point from two matches, the Coelacanths will aim to secure qualification by defeating Mali in their final fixture, keeping alive the memory of their famous AFCON debut in 2021 when they stunned Ghana.
- Zambia: With two points, the Chipolopolo must beat Morocco to advance to the last 16, a tough challenge considering their current form and historical struggles at the tournament.
AFCON 2025 Outlook
Comoros and Zambia’s encounter demonstrated the importance of tactical discipline and defensive organization in a tournament where a single goal can decide qualification. As the group stage concludes, all eyes will turn to the final matches in Casablanca and Rabat, where both teams will need to produce decisive performances to advance in AFCON 2025.
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