Fashion Sakala says the Chipolopolo Boys are ready to take on Morocco in tomorrow’s make-or-break final Group A match in Rabat, insisting they are not intimidated by individual players.
Zambia drew 1-1 in their opening match against Mali and followed it up with a 0-0 draw against Comoros. They will need at least a win or a draw in their final group game to stand a chance of advancing to the next round.
When asked about the difference the prospect of facing 2025 CAF Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi would make in tomorrow’s game, Sakala said the team has prepared to face Morocco as a unit, not one player.
“I think he’s a very good player, but, for me and the team, the determination remains the same. I think our most important target is to make sure that we get the three points, not really focusing on names, not really focusing on individual players,” Sakala told a press conference.
The Al Fayha striker added, “History tells us everything. Morocco, they have won AFCON once, Zambia has won AFCON once. That tells us that this game is actually a 50/50 game. Anything can happen in football.”
Sakala also revealed that the team is drawing inspiration from the 2012 squad that defeated a star-studded Ivory Coast to lift the AFCON trophy.
“Zambia has beaten big names before, won the Africa Cup against Ivory Coast. That was the time of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, the best generation of African football players, but we still, we still won the, the Africa Cup.
“Even this one, we are going there with full confidence and ready to fight for our country.“
Zambia and Morocco have met five times since 2022, with Morocco winning four encounters, while Zambia’s only victory came in a friendly match.
