World Cup (Q): Morocco coach Regragui admits Zambia tough opponent despite win

Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui praised Zambia for their resilient display despite defeating 2-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Monday.

Despite having already qualified for the World Cup, striker Youssef En-Nesyri gave the Atlas Lions an early goal after capitalising on Miguel Changa Chaiwa’s mistake, before Igamane Hamza’s 25 yard strike caught Toaster Nsabata off guard to seal victory.

“Every game against Zambia is a tough game. They are a good team, I remember [what they did] in 1994 at AFCON. They have fast players and I am a fan,” Regragui told the media after the game as quoted by Bola News.

“Every time is not an easy game of course, we win three times, but never disrespect your opponents, and that’s what we do every game against Zambia, because there is a big history between Morocco and Zambia.

“Congratulations on the job for your players, and I hope you progress Inshallah.”

The Atlas Lions have now beaten the Chipolopolo in all four of their last meetings across all competitions and will meet again at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where they are both in Group A alongside Comorros and Mali.

With this latest victory, the Atlas Lions consolidated their position as group leaders with 21 points from seven wins, followed by Tanzania (10 points), Zambia and Niger (six points) and Congo (one point).

Morocco became the first African country to qualify for the World Cup following their 5-0 win against Niger in Rabat.

They will now be taking part in the global competition for the seventh time in history and the third time in a row (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, and 2022).

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