AFCON: Draw between Zambia and Comoros that still leaves various possibilities open

In Group A of this year’s AFCON, Morocco were tipped as a team to qualify even before the tournament began, which will most likely be the case. However, in the group of Mali, Zambia, and the Comoros, everything remains open. Today’s result, though, does not offer much of a clearer picture of how things might unfold.

The opening 45 minutes of the Group A clash between Zambia and the Comoros Islands were marked by cautious play, brief moments of danger, and a major VAR intervention that kept the scores level.

Comoros threatened early, with Myziane Maolida testing the Zambian defense in the 7th minute after a corner kick. The forward controlled the ball inside the penalty area and fired a low effort straight down the middle, but a well-timed defensive block diverted the shot away from goal.

The biggest moment of the half arrived in the 19th minute when Maolida appeared to give Comoros the lead. After a fine assist from Rafiki Said, he tapped the ball into an empty net, sparking celebrations from the Comoros players. However, referee Ahmad Heeralall halted the celebrations and signaled for a VAR review. Following consultation, the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up, much to the relief of Zambia.

Comoros continued to push forward, and in the 31st minute Youssouf M'Changama unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, but his effort drifted wide to the left. Zambia responded six minutes later through Kings Kangwa, who tried his luck from distance, only to see his shot miss the target.

Just before the break, M'Changama was again involved, this time from a long-range free kick in the 43rd minute. His attempt sailed to the right of the goal, ensuring there would be no goals before half-time.

The second half offered little in the way of clear-cut chances, with both Zambia and the Comoros Islands struggling to raise the tempo and break through well-organised defenses.

Zambia came closest midway through the half. In the 69th minute, Kings Kangwa found space just outside the penalty area and unleashed a promising effort, but a committed Comoros defender threw himself in the way to block the shot at the crucial moment.

The Zambian side continued to probe, and in the 76th minute Lubambo Musonda delivered a cross from the flank into the box. However, the delivery lacked precision, allowing the Comoros defense to deal with the danger and clear their lines.

Comoros nearly found a late breakthrough in the 81st minute when Faiz Selemani met a well-placed cross around 11 meters from goal. His header had power but not enough accuracy, sailing narrowly over the crossbar and keeping the score level.

Zambia had the final notable attempt of the half in the 85th minute. Musonda tried his luck from range, but his effort flew high over the goal, bringing an end to the last real moment of danger.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - GROUP STAGE

Friday

Angola - Zimbabwe 1-1 (1-1)

/Dala 24 - Musona 45+6/

Egypt - South Africa 1-0 (1-0)

/Salah 45 pen/

Zambia - Comoros 0-0

23.00: (1.55) Morocco (3.80) Mali (7.00)

Saturday

15.30: (1.70) Benin (3.50) Botswana (5.50)

18.00: (1.75) Senegal (3.50) Dr Congo (5.10)

20.30: (2.40) Uganda (3.10) Tanzania (3.20)

23.00: (2.40) Nigeria (3.10) Tunisia (3.20)

Sunday

15.30: (1.92) Gabon (3.35) Mozambique (4.30)

18.00: (2.50) Equatorial Guinea (3.10) Sudan (3.05)

20.30: (2.00) Algeria (3.35) Burkina Faso (4.00)

23.00: (2.20) Ivory Coast (3.15) Cameroon (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***