AFCON: Comoros hold Zambia to goalless draw in Casablanca

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 uneventful.

Comoros again had the best chance, with Faiz Selemani heading a deep cross onto the roof of the net, leaving Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza stranded in no man’s land after coming off his line.

The result will be more to Comoros’ liking, leaving them with one point ahead of their final Group A match against Mali in Casablanca on Monday.

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.