Zambia face Morocco in an African Nations Championship quarter-final on Sunday looking to progress to their first CHAN semi-final since 2009.
The Chipolopolo qualified to the competition after finishing second in Group D on goal-difference while their opponents Morocco topped Group C ahead of Rwanda, Togo and Uganda.
Micho’s charges beat Tanzania 2-0 in their group opener before being held to a 1-1 draw by tournament favourites Guinea in their second match. They ended their group matches with a goalless draw against minnows Namibia.
Morocco, on the other hand, cruised through to the group stages with two wins from three matches, drawing to Rwanda although they rested many first-team starters, which set up a last-eight clash against the Chipolopolo.
The Atlas Lions are unbeaten in their last 10 CHAN games, while Zambia have lost just two of their 16 CHAN matches.
Zambia have fallen short in the quarters in the last two editions and they need to reach the final four for the first time since the maiden edition when they finished third.
“The matches are getting harder for everyone. Morocco have a good team, but we have a group that can make them doubt. We are ready and have nothing to lose,” said Chipolopolo coach Michoin an interview.
Goalkeeper Allan Chibwe is likely to be the man between the sticks although Lameck Siame has been pressing his case strongly, while skipper Adrian Chama and Luka Bamda will provide fortitude at the heart of the defence with Zachariah Chilongoshi and Clement Mulashi closing the barrier.
Benedict Chepeshi, Kondwani Chiboni, Golden Mafwenta and Pride Mwansa will be also staking a claim. The hard man duties will fall on Kelvin Kapumbu and Benson Sakala while Collins Sikombe may be joined by either Amity Shamnde or Spencer Sautu with Emmanuel Chabula at the tip of the attack.
Moses Phiri may be deployed to complement the attack that could also accommodate Kelvin Mubanga.
The Chipolopolo will have to be at their sharpest to stave off the challenge posed by the Atlas Lions through Ayoub El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi and Hamza El Moussaoui.
Ayoub, who scored record nine goals in 2018, netted his first goal in this year’s edition during Morocco’s last game against Uganda.
Additional Information: Football Association of Zambia
