Zambia vs Morocco: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | AFCON 2025

On: December 26, 2025 2:34 PM

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Zambia vs Morocco — Match Preview

The atmosphere at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah will be electric on Friday, 26 December 2025, as host nation Morocco takes on Zambia in a crucial Group A encounter. The Atlas Lions got their home tournament off to a perfect start with a comfortable 2–0 win over Comoros, showcasing their credentials as title favorites. Zambia, meanwhile, showed immense character to snatch a late 1–1 draw against Mali in their opener, arresting a worrying losing streak. Avram Grant’s Chipolopolo now face the daunting task of silencing the home crowd in Rabat to keep their qualification hopes alive against a team that has beaten them in five consecutive meetings.

Zambia vs Morocco — Match Info

Competition: AFCON 2025 (Group Stage – Matchday 2)
Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat (Capacity: 69,500)
Date: Friday, 26 December 2025
Kickoff: 20:00 GMT+1 (Local) | 19:00 GMT | 14:00 ET
Referee: TBC (CAF Appointment)

Zambia vs Morocco — Match Stakes

Zambia (3rd — 1 pt):

Win → A historic upset; moves them to 4 pts and likely secures a knockout spot.
Draw → A massive result; keeps destiny in their own hands ahead of the final group game.
Loss → Leaves them on 1 pt; makes the final match against Comoros a “must-win” for best 3rd place hopes.

Morocco (1st — 3 pts):

Win → Moves to 6 pts; secures qualification to the Round of 16 with a game to spare.
Draw → Keeps them top of the group but delays confirmation of top spot.
Loss → A shock blow to national morale; complicates the path to topping the group.

Zambia vs Morocco — Team News

Zambia:

Patson Daka — Available (Scored the vital equalizer vs Mali; key threat).
Lameck Banda — Available (Pace on the wing is essential for counters).
Fashion Sakala — Available (Expected to start out wide).
Stopilla Sunzu — Available (Veteran leader in defense).
Notes: No fresh injuries reported after the Mali draw. The manager may opt for a more defensive midfield setup to contain Morocco’s creators.

Morocco:

Achraf Hakimi — Available (Captain & World Class RB).
Brahim Díaz — Available (Creative hub; starred in the opener).
Yassine Bounou — Available (Starting GK).
Hakim Ziyech — Questionable (Managed minutes in opener; may start or come off bench).
Notes: Walid Regragui has a fully fit squad. Rotation is unlikely as they want to seal qualification early to rest players in Matchday 3.

Zambia vs Morocco — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Zambia

22/12 — 1–1 vs Mali (AFCON)
16/12 — 0–2 vs D.R. Congo (Friendly)
18/11 — 2–3 vs Angola (Friendly)
15/11 — 1–3 vs South Africa (Friendly)
12/10 — 0–1 vs Niger (WC Qualifier)

Morocco

22/12 — 2–0 vs Comoros (AFCON)
18/12 — 3–2 vs Jordan (Arab Cup)
15/12 — 3–0 vs UAE (Arab Cup)
11/12 — 1–0 vs Syria (Arab Cup)
08/12 — 1–0 vs Saudi Arabia (Arab Cup)

Zambia vs Morocco — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

08/09/2025 — Zambia 0–2 Morocco (WC Qualifier)
14/08/2025 — Morocco 3–1 Zambia (CHAN)
08/06/2024 — Morocco 2–1 Zambia (WC Qualifier)
25/01/2024 — Zambia 0–1 Morocco (AFCON)
31/01/2021 — Morocco 3–1 Zambia (CHAN)

Zambia vs Morocco — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Zambia (4-5-1)

Mulenga; Chepeshi, Sunzu, F. Musonda, L. Musonda; Banda, Kangwa, Kapumbu, Chaiwa, F. Sakala; Daka

Morocco (4-1-4-1)

Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Amrabat; Ziyech, Ounahi, Diaz, Adli; En-Nesyri

Zambia vs Morocco — Impact Bench

Zambia: K. Musonda (Option off bench), Chama (Creative spark)

Morocco: El Kaabi (Goal threat), Ezzalzouli (Dribbling vs tired legs)

Zambia vs Morocco — Tactical Analysis

Zambia

Zambia will set up in a low block, trying to deny space to Morocco’s technicians like Diaz and Ounahi. Their game plan will be simple: absorb pressure and release Patson Daka and Lameck Banda in transition. The pace of Banda against Morocco’s advancing full-backs (Hakimi/Mazraoui) is their only real outlet. They must avoid conceding set-pieces near the box, as they have struggled aerially in recent months.

Morocco

The hosts will dominate possession (likely 65%+). Regragui’s side attacks with fluidity, often overloading the right flank with Hakimi and Ziyech. Brahim Díaz will float between the lines to unlock the defense. Morocco’s counter-press was suffocating against Comoros, and they will look to win the ball back high up the pitch to prevent Zambia from settling.

Zambia vs Morocco — Key Battles

Hakimi vs L. Musonda — Morocco’s captain overlaps constantly; Zambia’s LB needs help.
Amrabat vs Kangwa — Battle for midfield stability.
Aguerd vs Daka — Premier League duel; Aguerd’s positioning vs Daka’s speed.
Bono vs Set-Pieces — Zambia’s best chance to score might be a dead ball.

Zambia vs Morocco — Spotlight Players

Zambia — Patson Daka

The Leicester City striker is the talisman. He scored the stoppage-time equalizer against Mali and carries the weight of the nation. He only needs one chance to score.

Morocco — Brahim Díaz

Since switching allegiance, the Real Madrid star has been a revelation. His close control and vision are perfect for breaking down stubborn defenses like the one Zambia will deploy.

Zambia vs Morocco — Prediction

Zambia 0–3 Morocco

Zambia showed heart against Mali, but Morocco is a different beast entirely, especially in Rabat. The Atlas Lions have beaten Zambia in their last five meetings and are in imperious form. The gap in quality across the pitch is too wide. Expect a comfortable win for the hosts as they book their place in the Round of 16.

Zambia vs Morocco — Betting Insights

Morocco to Win — Very High Probability.
Morocco -1.5 Handicap — Good Value.
Clean Sheet Morocco — Likely (Zambia struggle to create vs top tier defenses).