In a high-stakes battle for a spot in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia gears up to face Morocco following consecutive 1-1 draws against DR Congo and Tanzania. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Zambia’s star striker, Patson Daka, can deliver the goals that would make them the underdog victors in this crucial clash.
Zambia, the 2012 champions, demonstrated impressive defensive resilience in their previous matches, notably holding DR Congo to a draw despite being reduced to 10 men against Tanzania. With only one defeat in their last six matches, the Chipolopolo find themselves in a good position to qualify. However, a victory against the tournament favorites, Morocco, is an imposing challenge that could define their journey in the competition.
Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, started their Group F campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Tanzania but faced unexpected hurdles against DR Congo, resulting in a frustrating 1-1 draw. Despite their comfortable position at the top of the group, they aim to secure a win to claim the top spot and potentially secure a more favorable matchup in the knockout stage.
Zambia will miss the services of Roderick Kabwe, suspended after receiving a red card in the previous match. The absence opens an opportunity for either Clatous Chama or Kennedy Musonda to step up in the starting lineup. On the other hand, Morocco faces uncertainty regarding the availability of Noussair Mazraoui, with the Bayern Munich defender nursing a persistent thigh problem.
While Zambia has shown resilience in the tournament, Morocco poses a significant challenge, being the highest-ranked side in the continent. The prediction leans towards a Morocco victory, considering their recent form and the need for a positive result for guaranteed qualification.
The upcoming clash promises intense action as both teams aim to shape their fate in the Africa Cup of Nations. The pivotal question remains: Can Patson Daka and the Zambian team defy the odds and secure a victory that would make them the surprise package of the tournament? According to 1xBet the odds of the Zambian star striker finding the back of the net are estimated at 4,90.
