Daka silenced: Zambia’s AFCON drought reaches 11 games

Zambia’s AFCON finals winless run extended to 11 matches as they played out a drab 0-0 draw with Comoros in Casablanca, leaving both teams’ knockout hopes in serious doubt.

Zambia 0-0 Comoros | AFCON 2025 Group A | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca

Zero goals. Zero breakthrough. And for Zambia, zero AFCON wins in their last 11 matches—a drought stretching back to their fairytale 2012 triumph. In a frustrating stalemate at the Mohammed V Stadium, two teams searching for their first victories of the tournament cancelled each other out in a match that will quickly be forgotten.

The disallowed goal that could have changed everything

Comoros thought they had broken the deadlock early when Myziane Maolida found the back of the net, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for a foul in the build-up. It was a cruel blow for the Coelacanths, who had started the brighter of the two teams and seemed to carry momentum from their spirited display against hosts Morocco.

From that moment on, however, the match descended into a midfield chess match that neither side could win.

Daka struggles for service

Leicester City striker Patson Daka, Zambia’s most dangerous attacking threat, was starved of meaningful service throughout the 90 minutes. The commentators repeatedly noted the lack of quality balls into dangerous areas, and Daka’s frustration was visible as he dropped deeper and deeper in search of involvement.

Zambia’s attacking patterns:

First half: Just 2 shots on target, both from distance
Set pieces: 4 corners, none threatening
Key passes to Daka: 3 total, none inside the penalty area

The Chipolopolo’s inability to create meaningful chances for their star striker was a damning indictment of their tactical setup against a Comoros side that defended deep but left spaces to exploit.

Comoros’ growing AFCON experience

For Comoros, making only their second AFCON appearance after their remarkable 2021 debut, this point represents progress. They remain winless at the finals—four matches without a victory—but they’re learning how to compete at this level.

Key defensive statistics:

Blocks: 6
Interceptions: 14
Goalkeeper saves: 0 (Pandor barely tested)

Yannick Pandor, who had made a crucial penalty save against Morocco in their opening defeat, was rarely called into action. Zambia simply couldn’t generate the quality required to trouble the Comoros goal.

Group A permutations

With Morocco expected to beat Mali later in the evening, the Group A picture becomes clearer:

Morocco: Likely through with a game to spare
Mali: Need points from their remaining fixtures
Zambia: 2 points, need results in their favor to progress
Comoros: 1 point, require a minor miracle

Zambia’s final match against Morocco represents a daunting task, while Comoros face Mali knowing anything less than victory likely ends their tournament.

The bigger picture for Zambia

This winless streak is becoming an unwelcome narrative for Zambian football. Since lifting the trophy in 2012—that extraordinary triumph in Gabon dedicated to the victims of the 1993 air disaster—Zambia have failed to win a single AFCON finals match.

Eleven matches. Ten draws. One defeat. Zero wins.

Coach Avram Grant’s side showed resilience to come from behind and earn a point against Mali in their opener, but this performance raised serious questions about their ability to break down organized defenses.

Match stats

Possession: Zambia 54% – Comoros 46%
Shots: Zambia 9 – Comoros 8
Shots on target: Zambia 2 – Comoros 1
Passing accuracy: Zambia 81% – Comoros 75%

Zambia face Morocco on December 29 in Rabat, while Comoros take on Mali in Casablanca on the same day. Both Group A matches kick off at 19:00 GMT.