Preview: Zambia vs Morocco - prediction, team news, lineups

Zambia welcome already-qualified Morocco to Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Monday, hoping to revive their slim chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup through the playoff route.

The Chipolopolo sit third in a depleted Group E, with six points from five matches, while the North African visitors have already secured automatic progression, sitting eight points clear of second place.

Match preview

Group E has experienced its share of disruptions during the qualifying campaign, creating irregularities that have influenced how points were accumulated by several teams.

While Zambia benefited from a walkover against Congo, Eritrea’s early withdrawal has left the Chipolopolo with a narrow window to secure a playoff berth.

With automatic qualification already out of reach, the Copper Bullets are eight points behind the team with the fewest points among the four best runners-up, making maximum points crucial on Monday.

Zambia would need to dig deep for this, having secured only one genuine win on the pitch — a 4-2 triumph over Congo — in addition to their walkover over the same opponent.

The Chipolopolo have shown promise in attack, scoring nine goals in the qualifiers, but their defence has struggled, having conceded seven in those games.

However, Zambia enter this encounter with little confidence at either end, shipping twelve in seven games across all competitions, failing to win any while drawing blank in four matches.

In contrast, Morocco travel to Ndola in high spirits after winning five of their last six matches across all competitions, the only exception being a penalty shoot-out in the African Nations Championship against Senegal.

The Atlas Lions eventually lifted the CHAN trophy and continued their impressive form as a nation, thrashing Niger 5-0 on Friday to become the first country on the continent to secure 2026 World Cup qualification.

Walid Regragui’s men enjoyed a flawless run to progression, winning all six matches in the group while scoring the joint-most goals in the African qualifiers with nineteen and conceding just two.

Despite having already qualified, Morocco would be confident of continuing their streak, having won their last four encounters with Zambia, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture and a 3-1 triumph in their most recent meeting in CHAN.

Zambia World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Zambia form (all competitions):

Morocco World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Morocco form (all competitions):

Team News

Head coach Avram Grant has named a 26-man squad ahead of Monday’s clash, blending local talent with experienced professionals playing abroad.

The attacking line-up is particularly potent, with Leicester City’s Patson Daka and Saudi-based striker Fashion Sakala both available for selection.

However, Bahrain-based defender Frankie Musonda and Zesco United’s midfield maestro Kelvin Kampamba have been ruled out due to injury.

Morocco finished their game against Niger unscathed, but Regragui may make adjustments for rotation, giving players opportunity for a starting role on Monday.

Hamzan Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi scored after entering from the bench against Niger, and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannous, who also came on as a substitute, could be handed a start.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain fullback Achraf Hakimi is expected to marshal the defence as captain, having provided an assist last time out, while Yassine Bounou should retain his place between the sticks.

Zambia possible starting lineup:

Nsabata; Chisala, Chongo, Mphande, Chepeshi; L Banda, Sakala, Sabobo; Chilufya, Daka, K Musonda

Morocco possible starting lineup:

Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Belammari; Amrabat; B. Díaz, Aynaoui, Ounahi, El Khannous; Igamane

We say: Zambia 1-2 Morocco

Despite Morocco having little at stake in this encounter, the Atlas Lions are likely to continue their perfect run against Zambia, whose recent meetings with the North Africans have ended in defeat.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.