Morocco and Comoros will meet for the fourth time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The fixture has historically favored Morocco, although Comoros has shown resilience, particularly in their home leg during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
2019 AFCON Qualifier – First Leg (13 October 2018)
Morocco struggled to break down a compact Comoros defense but secured a late win through a penalty converted by Fayçal Fajr. The result gave Morocco a crucial three points in Group B.
2019 AFCON Qualifier – Second Leg (16 October 2018)
- **Venue:** Stade Said Mohamed Cheikh, Mitsamiouli - **Result:** Comoros 2–2 Morocco - **Goals:** - Comoros: El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (8'), Nasser Chamed (90+3') - Morocco: Hakim Ziyech (54'), Youssef En-Nesyri (62')
Comoros stunned Morocco early with a goal from Ben Nabouhane and salvaged a dramatic draw with a stoppage-time equalizer from Chamed. Morocco had taken the lead through Ziyech and En-Nesyri, but the draw highlighted Comoros’ growing competitiveness. Morocco ultimately qualified for the 2019 AFCON, while Comoros narrowly missed out.
Morocco dominated possession and chances, securing a comfortable win to advance to the round of 16. Comoros, despite the loss, would go on to defeat Ghana and qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
Zambia and Mali will meet for the seventh time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The fixture has spanned over three decades, featuring key matchups in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and international friendlies. While Zambia held the upper hand in earlier meetings, Mali claimed its first win in the most recent encounter, a friendly match held in Bamako on September 23, 2022. The early goal from Boubacar Traoré set the tone, and Mali maintained control of possession throughout. The result reflected Mali’s continued rise in African football and their growing depth ahead of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Africa Cup of Nations
1994 AFCON – Group Stage (27 March 1994)
- **Venue:** Stade El Menzah, Tunis, Tunisia - **Result:** Zambia 1–0 Mali - **Goal:** Kenneth Malitoli (38') - **Summary:**
This was the first-ever meeting between the two nations. Zambia, still recovering from the tragic 1993 plane crash that claimed much of its national team, fielded a rebuilt squad led by Kalusha Bwalya. Kenneth Malitoli’s goal secured a vital win that helped Zambia top the group and eventually reach the final, where they finished runners-up to Nigeria. Mali exited in the group stage.
2006 FIFA World Cup & AFCON Qualifiers
Zambia and Mali were drawn together in Group 1 of the joint qualification campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
A balanced draw in Bamako kept both teams in contention early in the group stage.
Second Leg – 18 June 2005 (Lusaka)
- **Result:** Zambia 2–1 Mali - **Goals:** - Zambia: James Chamanga (12'), Elijah Tana (55') - Mali: Mamadou Diallo (78')
Zambia’s win helped them finish third in the group and qualify for the 2006 AFCON. Mali, who had reached the semifinals in 2002 and 2004, finished fifth and missed out on the tournament—an unexpected setback for a team considered among the continent’s rising powers.
2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN)
Group Stage Finale – 27 January 2016 (Kigali, Rwanda)
- **Result:** Zambia 0–0 Mali
Zambia had already secured qualification to the knockout stage before kickoff with victories against Zimbabwe and Uganda. The goalless draw confirmed Mali's progress into the final eight as runners-up, with Zambia winning the group. Mali went on to reach the final of the tournament, ultimately finishing as runners-up to DR Congo. The match highlighted the depth and tactical discipline of both squads, particularly Mali’s emerging talents, such as Hamidou Sinayoko and Yacouba Sylla.
Morocco and Mali have met 20 times in international competition, with the 21st meeting scheduled during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The rivalry spans over five decades and includes encounters in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), AFCON qualifiers, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
2004 Africa Cup of Nations – Group Stage
Date: 11 February 2004
Venue: Stade Taïeb Mhiri, Sfax, Tunisia
Result: Morocco 4–0 Mali
Goals: Marouane Chamakh, Youssef Hadji, Jaouad Zairi, Talal El Karkouri
Morocco delivered a dominant performance to top Group D and advance to the knockout stage. Mali exited in the quarterfinals.
Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
1983 AFCON Qualifiers – First Round
First Leg (10 April 1983, Casablanca): Morocco 4–0 Mali
Second Leg (24 April 1983, Bamako): Mali 2–0 Morocco
Aggregate: Morocco advanced 4–2
1989 AFCON Qualifiers – First Round
First Leg (8 April 1989, Bamako): Mali 0–0 Morocco
Second Leg (22 April 1989, Casablanca): Morocco 1–1 Mali
Aggregate: Morocco advanced on away goals
FIFA World Cup qualifiers
1974 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – First Round'
Morocco and Mali were drawn together but did not play due to Mali's withdrawal.
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Third Round (Group C)
First Leg – 1 September 2017 (Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat)
Result: Morocco 6–0 Mali
Goals: Hakim Ziyech (pen. 20'), Achraf Hakimi (27'), Khalid Boutaïb (51'), Younès Belhanda (61'), Fayçal Fajr (72'), Rachid Alioui (86')
Coach: Hervé Renard (Morocco)
Morocco produced one of their most emphatic victories in World Cup qualifying history. Under French coach Hervé Renard, the Atlas Lions overwhelmed Mali with six different goal scorers. The win was pivotal in Morocco's successful campaign to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Second Leg – 5 September 2017 (Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako)
Result: Mali 0–0 Morocco
Summary: Morocco held Mali to a goalless draw away from home, maintaining their unbeaten record in the group and securing top spot.
African Nations Championship (CHAN)
2020 CHAN Final – 7 February 2021 (Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon)
Result: Morocco 2–0 Mali
Goals: Soufiane Bouftini (69'), Ayoub El Kaabi (79')
Morocco claimed their second consecutive CHAN title with a composed performance in the final. Mali, despite the loss, earned praise for their run to the final and emerging talent.
Comoros and Zambia will meet for the seventh time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Historically, Zambia has dominated the fixture, but Comoros has shown steady improvement in recent years, including a historic win in the 2024 COSAFA Cup.
2012 AFCON Qualifiers
Zambia won both legs against Comoros during the qualification campaign. The first match in Lusaka ended 4–0, and the return leg in Mitsamiouli saw Zambia win 2–1. These results were part of Zambia’s successful run to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations title.
2023 AFCON Qualifiers
First Leg – 2 June 2022 (Lusaka)
Zambia defeated Comoros 2–1 at home. Goals from Fashion Sakala and Kings Kangwa gave Zambia the edge, while Comoros responded with a late goal from Faïz Mattoir. The win helped Zambia establish early momentum in Group H.
Second Leg – 9 September 2023 (Moroni)
Comoros held Zambia to a 1–1 draw at Stade Omnisports de Malouzini. Benjaloud Youssouf scored for Comoros in the 45th minute, while Patson Daka equalized in the 71st minute with an assist from Benedict Chepeshi. The result confirmed Zambia’s qualification and marked a strong showing for Comoros despite missing out.
2023 COSAFA Cup – Group Stage
Zambia won 2–1 in Durban, continuing their dominance in regional competition.
2024 COSAFA Cup – Group Stage
Comoros recorded their first-ever win over Zambia, triumphing 1–0. The result was a milestone for Comoros, reflecting their growing competitiveness in southern African football.
Zambia and Morocco will meet for the 23rd time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This fixture is one of the most frequently contested inter-confederation rivalries in African football, spanning over five decades and multiple competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and international friendlies.
Africa Cup of Nations Meetings
The 2025 encounter will mark the fourth meeting between Zambia and Morocco in the AFCON tournament proper, with the previous three being:
- Zambia 2–1 Morocco (Lusaka, 4 July 1993) - Morocco 1–0 Zambia (Rabat, 8 October 1993)
Zambia’s 2–1 win in Lusaka came just months after the tragic April 1993 plane crash off the coast of Gabon that claimed the lives of 18 Zambian players. The rebuilt squad, led by Kalusha Bwalya, came within one point of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. Morocco’s narrow win in the return leg saw them top the group and qualify for the tournament in the USA.
African Nations Championship (CHAN)
Zambia and Morocco have met twice at the CHAN, both in knockout rounds:
In a repeat of the 2018 quarterfinal, Morocco again eliminated Zambia with a dominant performance. Soufiane Rahimi scored twice, and Morocco went on to defend their CHAN title.
This rivalry has featured some of Africa’s most iconic footballers:
Zambia
- *Kalusha Bwalya* – Legendary forward and 1988 African Footballer of the Year, central to Zambia’s 1990s resurgence. - *Kennedy Mweene* – Longtime goalkeeper and penalty specialist. - *Patson Daka* and *Fashion Sakala* – Modern attacking duo leading Zambia’s current generation.
Morocco
- *Abdelkrim Merry “Krimau”* – Scored the winner in the 1986 AFCON clash. - *Salaheddine Bassir* – Key striker in the 1990s. - *Hakim Ziyech* and *Achraf Hakimi* – Stars of the current golden generation that reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals.
With 22 previous meetings, this fixture is one of the most enduring inter-regional rivalries in African football, marked by competitive balance, historical weight, and mutual respect.
Comoros and Mali will meet for the third time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Prior to this tournament, the two nations had never faced each other until the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, where Mali won both encounters, both also played in Morocco, convincingly.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
First Meeting – 20 March 2025 (Matchday 5)
- **Venue:** Stade Municipal de Berkane, Morocco - **Result:** Mali 3–0 Comoros - **Goals:** - Nene Dorgeles (28') - Kamory Doumbia (70' PEN) - Lassana Coulibaly (76')
Mali dominated the match from start to finish, with Nene Dorgeles opening the scoring before Kamory Doumbia converted a penalty and Lassana Coulibaly sealed the win. The result reignited Mali’s qualification hopes and showcased their attacking depth.
Second Meeting – 4 September 2025 (Matchday 7)
- **Venue:** Stade Municipal de Berkane, Morocco - **Result:** Mali 3–0 Comoros - **Goals:** - Nene Dorgeles (29') - Kamory Doumbia (71' PEN) - Lassana Coulibaly (77')
In a repeat performance, Mali once again outclassed Comoros with an identical scoreline. Dorgeles, Doumbia, and Coulibaly each found the net, mirroring their contributions from the earlier fixture. The win propelled Mali into the top three of Group I, keeping them in contention for a spot in the playoffs.
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