The 2025 Morocco Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers concluded on Tuesday, with Zambia’s Chipolopolo Boys defeating Sierra Leone 0-2 in Monrovia, Liberia, to finish first in Group G with 13 points, ahead of reigning African Champions Ivory Coast, who thrashed Chad 4-0 to rank second with 12 points.
In the match between Zambia and the Leone Stars, Emmanuel Banda opened the scoring in the 54th minute with his signature left-footed shot from outside the 18-box, giving Avram Grant’s side the advantage. The Al-Tai midfielder scored his first senior international goal since debuting in 2017.
In the 71st minute, in-form young African striker Kennedy Musonda scored his fourth goal of the campaign, extending Zambia’s lead and ultimately sealing Zambia’s top spot.
Elsewhere, Botswana will return to the AFCON next year for the first time since 2012, after drawing 1-1 with Egypt. This is only their second appearance, making it one of football’s prestigious international competitions. Mozambique also qualified for the Morocco edition by defeating Guinea-Bissau 1-2, becoming the seventh Southern African country to do so.
Nigeria, Algeria, Mali, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, and the Ivory Coast are among the regulars who have secured a place in Morocco, while Ghana was the most disappointing, finishing the qualifiers without a win.
The 2025 Morocco AFCON, which was originally scheduled for June, has been rescheduled to make way for the new FIFA Club World Cup format, which will begin on June 15, 2025, and end on July 13, 2025.
The AFCON will now begin on December 21, 2025, and end on January 18, 2026.
READ MORE: Zambia U-20 Women thrash Lesotho 9-0; losing coach admits team panicked
