Zambia v Morocco preview
Morocco coach Walid Regragui dismissed concerns about the AFCON hosts’ form in the tournament so far and insisted he is still the right man to lead the North African side to their first title since 1976.
The Atlas Lions sit at the top of Group A having taken four points from games against Comoros and Mali, although the 1-1 draw against the latter ended their record-breaking 19-match winning streak.
The performance on Friday was not convincing and has led to criticism of Regragui in some quarters.
Despite that, the 50-year-old is confident he can inspire his team to glory on home soil.
“Yes, I still think so; otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here,” he said. “I have even more confidence than everyone else, I believe, in this group and this team. And we know that in a competition – even more so in the Africa Cup of Nations, but in all competitions in general – it’s at the end of the show that the musicians get paid.
“The most important thing today is to continue our progress to win this game and finish first [in the group] to stay in Rabat. This is our objective.”
Captain Achraf Hakimi also asked impatient fans to stick with the team after boos were heard coming from the stands against Mali.
“I understand that the fans are not satisfied and we respect that,” said the Paris Saint-Germain full-back. “We will work to make them happy but we also need them.
“We are playing on our own soil. It is not right to hear whistles from time to time. Our supporters are our twelfth player.
“At PSG… people used to say we couldn’t win,, that we didn’t have strong team or great coach. Yet we became champions of Europe. With our fans’ support, we can become champions of Africa together.”
Zambia have drawn their first two games and go into this clash knowing a win will see them leapfrog Morocco and clinch their qualification.
Zambia v Morocco team news
Romain Saiss and Hamza Igamane are unlikely to be fit for Morocco but Hakimi could get some minutes from the bench as he continues his comeback from an ankle injury.
Zambia have no fresh concerns and should be at full strength.
Zambia v Morocco: AFCON 2025 predicted line-ups
Zambia starting XI: Mwanza; M Banda, B Sakala, Chanda, Musonda; Tembo, Simukonda; L Banda, Kangwa, F Sakala; Daka
Morocco starting XI: Bono; Mazraoui, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Salah-Eddine; El Aynaoui, Ben Seghir, Ounahi; Diaz, En-Nesyri, El Khannouss
How to watch Zambia v Morocco: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Monday is at 19:00 UK time. In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
Zambia v Morocco: AFCON 2025 stats
- Zambia have not advanced beyond the group stage since winning the competition in 2012
- Zambia have not won any of their last 11 AFCON games