Following results from the final matches of Groups A and B, any positive result for Zambia could qualify them for a spot in the last 16 as a better third-placed team.
In Group A, AFCON hosts Ivory Coast endured a humiliating 4-0 defeat to less-fancied opponents Equitoreal Guinea on Monday.
The 2023 AFCON hosts currently sit on three (3) points from three matches in third place in Group A with a denting goal difference of -3.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Ghana remains on the brink of AFCON elimination following a devastating 2-2 draw against Mozambique.
It now leaves the Black Stars in third place in Group B with two points, just like Mozambique, but with a superior goal difference (-1) to that of the Southern African side (-3).
Zambia can mirrior Egypt
In Group B’s other fixture, Egypt qualified for the AFCON Round of 16 on three points without winning a single match. All three of their group matches ended in stalemates.
This could serve as inspiration to Zambian, who will also qualify for the last 16 if they mirror or better Egypt’s group stage results. As it stands, the Chipolopolo only need a draw against Morocco, the highest FIFA-ranked African nation.
Such a result will keep the Chipolopolo on three (3) points with a goal difference of zero (0) and guarantee at least third place regardless of the results in the Tanzania-DR. Congo game.
In the battle for third-place qualification, the Copper Bullets would have the same points as Ivory Coast but with a better goal difference (0) than the hosts (-3). They would also boast a better point tally compared to Ghana’s two.
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Being among the top four third-placed teams means automatic qualification for the 2012 AFCON winners.
The last time Zambia locked horns with Morocco in 2019, they got a stunning 3-2 victory over the North Africans. The two sides will meet at the Laurent Poukou stadium in their last group match on Wednesday.
