Confidence reigns. While Zambia, currently 3rd in Group A with 2 points, is preparing to challenge Morocco (1st with 4 points), the Chipolopolos are not frightened by the prospect of playing their qualification for the round of 16 of CAN 2025 against the organizing country and big favorite of the competition.
On the eve of the last group match, scheduled for this Monday evening in Rabat (8 p.m.), Wilson Chisala, the Zambian midfielder, presented himself with confidence in the mixed zone. “Morocco is an overrated and beatable team,” he told several journalists. “We are ready for this. The match will be tough, there will be pressure, you have to be realistic. But we have nothing to fear, we will face them,” said the 23-year-old in a video captured by several Zambian media.
“This match is a real 50-50”
Fashion Sakala, his colleague in the attack, also showed great conviction at a press conference this Sunday. “You know, the story says a lot of things. Morocco won an African Cup, Zambia too,” he recalled, referring to the surprise coronation of the small African nation in 2012. “This means that this match is a real 50-50,” said the 28-year-old, who plays for Al-Fayha, in Saudi Arabia.
“In football, anything can happen. We are ready, not just individually but as a team as a whole. What we want above all is to play collectively and seek victory. That’s the main thing. We don’t focus on names,” said the man with 38 caps before recalling the past exploits of his national team.
Ashraf Hakimi? “His presence changes nothing”
“Zambia have beaten great teams in the past. We won the African Cup against Ivory Coast during the era of Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré. It was one of the best generations of African players and despite that, we won. Even today, we approach this match with great confidence and the determination to fight for our country,” said Sakala, while his team remains in two draws in the competition, against Mali (1-1) and against the Comoros (0-0).
One thing is certain, nothing will scare the Zambian striker and his partners, not even the announced return of Achraf Hakimi to the Moroccan ranks. “I think he’s a very good player, but for the team and myself, his presence doesn’t change anything. Before looking at the players who are lined up against us, our most important objective is to manage to take the three points,” he said.
If successful, Zambia would qualify for the CAN finals for the first time since their historic success in 2012.
