Zambia and Comoros played out the first goalless draw of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, with a VAR intervention denying the Coelacanths what appeared to be the opening goal in a match of few clear-cut opportunities.
The contest burst into life in the 19th minute when Comoros forward Myziane Maolida found the back of the net with an easy tap-in following excellent work by Rafiki Said. The lively Maolida’s celebration was cut short, however, by a VAR review which determined that Yacine Bourhane had committed a foul on Zambia’s Owen Tembo in the build-up to the goal. The effort was subsequently chalked off to Comoros’ considerable frustration, two minutes later.
The disallowed goal proved to be the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock during an opening period characterised by cautious play. Comoros had started the brighter, and Dominic Chanda was forced to make a crucial goal-line block to deny Maolida what would have been an earlier opening goal.
Zambia, featuring Leicester City striker Patson Daka, struggled to create meaningful chances against a well-organised Comoros defensive unit in the first half. The Chipolopolo enjoyed greater territorial dominance as the half progressed, with Kings Kangwa and Lameck Banda testing the Comoros backline, but goalkeeper Yannick Pandor remained largely untroubled.
The second period followed a similar pattern, with Zambia controlling possession without penetrating the Comoros defensive structure. Dominic Chanda received a yellow card in the 55th minute for a hard foul on Zaydou Youssouf. Both managers turned to their benches in search of fresh impetus, with Wilson Chisala replacing David Simukonda for Zambia in the 57th minute, whilst Comoros introduced Rayan Lutin and Yannis Kari in place of Abdel Hakim Abdallah and Said Bakari.
Comoros came closest in the second period when Faïz Selemani, introduced as a substitute, headed a deep cross onto the roof of the net with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza caught off his line. Despite these tactical adjustments, neither side could manufacture a decisive moment in the final third.
The result leaves Group A finely poised heading into the final round of fixtures. Morocco lead the group with four points, followed by Mali and Zambia on two points apiece, with Comoros bottom on one point. All four teams retain realistic hopes of progression, with Zambia requiring victory over Morocco to guarantee their place in the knockout stages.
For Comoros, battling in their tournament campaign, the point represents a creditable result and their first clean sheet at AFCON finals as they prepare to face Mali in their concluding group match. The draw extends Zambia’s winless run at AFCON finals to 12 matches, stretching back to their triumph in 2012.
