Kalusha Bwalya challenges Zambia ahead of Morocco AFCON clash

Former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya has challenged Zambia’s national team players to rise to the occasion and earn Morocco’s respect.

The former president of the Football Association of Zambia said this in Rabat when he addressed his countrymen ahead of their Monday’s group-stage match against Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

The Group A game scheduled for Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat promises to be tough. Morocco lead the standings with four points and want to seal their qualification to the round-of-16. The hosts earned their points after overcoming bottom-placed Comoros 2-0 before being held by Mali.

In the opposite camp, Moses Sichone’s side lie in third place with two points following 1-1 and 0-0 stalemates with Mali and Comoros, respectively.

At this stage, qualification to the next phase is not guaranteed for Zambia; hence, they will be yearning for nothing short of maximum victory. It is a task that may seem impossible, but Bwalya has challenged players for Zambia that it is possible to overcome Morocco.

“I have seen a lot that has happened in African football, and we are exactly where we are supposed to be,” Bwalya told the players.

“It is a good level, we just need one step forward, then we will get there. We need to always have the belief, and whoever gets the nod to start the match will earn the respect. When we go against Morocco, we will go with everything. We will go flat out, and we will earn respect.”

AFCON: What does Zambia v Morocco head-to-head say?

In another match for the group, Mali, who also have two points, face Comoros on Monday. The outcome of the second match for the pool will have a bearing on Zambia’s chances of progressing to the next stage.

Zambia won the AFCON title in 2012, but since that time, they have struggled to even qualify for the continental finals, and when they do, they never get past the group stage.

Morocco have always had an upper hand over Zambia, beating them 3-1 at the African Nations Championship match in Kenya in August.

A month later, the two teams met again, this time around in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, with the North African side prevailing via a 2-0 victory.

Overall, Morocco have beaten Zambia in five straight matches across all competitions.