The second matchday of the group stage at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in Group A, with Zambia vs Comoros taking centre stage as the group begins to open up. Zambia, currently third after a 1–1 draw with Mali on Matchday One, will be targeting all three points against bottom-placed Comoros, who fell 2–0 to hosts Morocco despite a valiant showing in the tournament opener.
Zambia arrived at the tournament in poor form, having lost each of their previous four games, so the draw against Mali will have felt like a small win especially with their opponents missing a penalty. That stoppage-time equaliser should give the Chipolopolo some belief heading into this one. Still, it’s hard to ignore the wider picture: the 2012 champions are now winless in their last ten AFCON group-stage matches (D8, L2). History isn’t on their side either, with Zambia last winning their second group game at the AFCON finals all the way back in 1996.
For Comoros, competing in just their second-ever AFCON tournament, defeat to Morocco in the curtain-raiser came as no great surprise. That 2–0 loss means they are now winless inside 90 minutes in their last seven competitive matches (D1, L6), losing the last four in a worrying downward spiral.
Another defeat here could see their tournament hopes all but extinguished by Matchday Two. Defensive frailties have played a part conceding two or more goals in five straight games but the fact they’ve scored in four of those matches shows they can still pose a threat going forward.
Comoros are unbeaten in the last three meetings between the sides (W2, D1), although both wins came in the COSAFA Cup. With entirely different starting XIs expected this time around, past meetings may count for little.
Patson Daka (Zambia)
After scoring Zambia’s late equaliser against Angola and almost breaking his neck in the celebration the Leicester City forward will be looking to carry that scoring touch into AFCON 2025. Lethal on his day, Daka could add to his tally against this Comoros side, hopefully without providing fresh meme material for social media.
Yannis Kari ( Comoros)
The Comoros defender will be crucial at the back. Already booked in successive games for his country, Kari’s discipline and leadership could prove vital if Comoros are to stay in this contest.
Yannick Pandor (Comoros)
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for Francs Borains in Belgium’s second division, was a revelation against Morocco. A penalty save and a string of outstanding stops underlined just how important he is to this Comoros side. Pandor will once again be called upon heavily if his country are to keep their AFCON dream alive.
