Comoros And Zambia In First Goalless Draw Of AFCON
Chances were at a premium as Comoros and Zambia played out the first goalless draw of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in a low-key encounter in Casablanca.
The key moment came midway through the first half when Comoros striker Myziane Maolida thought he had scored the easiest of goals, walking the ball into an empty net from five yards out after fantastic wing play from Rafiki Said.
However, Mauritian referee Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall correctly ruled the effort out after a Video Assistant Referee intervention spotted a foul in the immediate build-up, with Yacine Bourhane making a poor late challenge and standing on Owen Tembo’s foot.
While the Coelacanths were largely the better side throughout, much of the second half was a non-event.
Comoros again had the best chance, Faiz Selemani heading a deep cross onto the roof of the net with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza stranded in no man’s land after coming off his line and getting nowhere near the delivery.
The result will be more to Comoros’ liking, leaving them with one point ahead of their final Group A match against Mali back in Casablanca on Monday (19:00 GMT).
Zambia, who have two points, will likely have to beat host nation Morocco in their simultaneous closing game in Rabat to reach the last 16.
Daka Unable to Repeat Mali Heroics
After putting in a commanding performance in their opening-night 2-0 defeat against Morocco, Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor was rarely tested this time around.
The AFCON newcomer was, however, fortunate to escape embarrassment early on after overplaying inside his own area, luckily getting the bounce of the ball after being tackled by Leicester City striker Patson Daka.
Having managed just 30% possession against Morocco, Comoros often found themselves bossing proceedings here and playing the more considered football.
Before having his goal ruled out, Maolida had seen a far-post effort blocked on its way into the net by sliding centre-back Dominic Chanda.
Zambia’s best effort of the opening 45 minutes came when Kings Kangwa sent a dipping left-foot drive just over the bar from the edge of the box.
The result for Chipolopolo extends a remarkable AFCON run of 12 games without a victory at the tournament since they were champions back in 2012.
Despite a flurry of late pressure during second-half added time, in which they forced a succession of free-kicks and corners, there was never much chance of Moses Schinone’s side repeating the heroics with which they snatched a late 1-1 draw against Mali in their opening match.
The result means Zambia will have to summon the spirit of 2012 if they are to take something against Morocco.
But their fellow southern Africans will fancy their chances of beating Mali and making it out of their group, just as they famously did on their AFCON debut in 2021 when they shocked Ghana.
Source: BBC
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