On a Wednesday evening, Zambia's hopes for advancing in the
2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were dashed as they faced a formidable Moroccan team and suffered a 1-0 defeat. Before this crucial match, Zambia occupied the third spot in Group F, requiring just a single point against Morocco to secure a spot in the next round as one of the best-performing teams in defeat.
Throughout their AFCON campaign, the Chipolopolo boys played three matches, drawing two and losing one. Their initial encounter against DR Congo ended in a 1-1 draw, followed by another 1-1 draw against Tanzania. Unfortunately, the final group stage match against Morocco concluded with a 1-0 victory for the Atlas Lions.
Morocco claimed the top position in Group F with seven points, followed by DR Congo with three points. Zambia and Tanzania both secured two points each, but with goal difference favouring DR Congo, they found themselves outside the knockout stage.
Expressing his sentiments on the team's performance, Zambia Coach Avram Grant commended the players for their efforts against Morocco. He stated, "We played against a good team, and we did well. We were in a tough group, and I am confident that the boys who made their debut gained valuable experience. We will continue to blend both experienced and new players to build a formidable team."
Grant further added, "The boys exhibited a lot of character. In the match against Morocco, we dominated the second half, and even in the first half, we performed admirably. Unfortunately, one mistake cost us, and they scored."
As the tournament progresses, the teams that have successfully qualified for the knockout stages include Angola, Namibia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Although Zambia's AFCON journey has come to an end, the coach's positive outlook suggests a commitment to building on this experience for future tournaments. The team's resilience and determination remain a source of pride as they look ahead to further opportunities on the international stage.
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