The Chipolopolo Boys’ hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage hang on a thread following a goalless draw vs. the the Comoros Islands on Friday.
A little too late for the Copper Bullets, who tried to get a winner as the game advanced after being dominated by Les Coelacantes for the majority of the encounter.
BolaNews rates the Zambian national team players in their barren stalemate with Comoros at the Mohamed V Stadium.
GOALKEEPER
Willard Mwanza (6/10): Some shaky moments from Zambia’s number one, but an impressive display with the ball at his feet.
DEFENDERS
Matthews Banda (7/10): His throws unsettled Comoros’ defense on the day. He was quite industrious at the back in Casablanca as well.
Benson Sakala (7/10): The onus was on the center back to distribute the ball forward.
Sakala kept opposition attackers at bay.
Dominic Chanda (7/10): But for Chanda, Zambia should have conceded in the first half.
Lubambo Musonda (7/10): Musonda offered more attacking threat than his captain on the left wing while making important defensive interventions at the back.
MIDFIELDERS
Owen Tembo (7/10): He was very competent at breaking up play and intercepting danger in the middle of the park, usually going safe with his passing.
David Simukonda (4/10): Simukonda struggled to impose himself on the midfield.
Sabobo highly rated sub.
Kings Kangwa (6/10): Kangwa didn’t always get the final ball right but got his attackers into space a good number of times.
FORWARD
Lameck Banda (5/10): Banda seemed to run out of ideas when heavily marked, as has been the case in his recent outings with Zambia.
Fashion Sakala (4/10): A performance to forget from the Chipolopolo skipper.
Patson Daka (6/10): No service for the Copper Bullets talisman, who had to deviate to the wings or drop into midfield to have a feel of the ball.
SUBSTITUTES
Wilson Chisala (5/10): He was more involved in the match compared to Simukonda but not enough for Zambia to dominate the match.
Joseph Sabobo Banda (6/10): The youngster staked his claim for a starting berth against Morocco after bringing on some flair and flamboyance.
Kennedy Musonda (5/10): Musonda, who led Zambia to the 2025 AFCON, could not replicate that brilliance against Comoros.
Jack Lahne (N/A): Lahne made his first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations for the Chipolopolo Boys.
COACH
Moses Sichone (4/10): He had no game plan against Comoros. Sichone needs to conjure up a miracle against the hosts, Morocco, to keep Zambia in the tournament.
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