CHAN 2024: Morocco target top spot in Group A decider

Morocco will look to seize control of Group A at the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they face Kenya in a pivotal third-round match on Sunday.

The fixture, scheduled for 1:00 p.m., pits the defending champions against a Kenyan side currently sitting top of the table with four points after two matches.

Morocco, on three points, can leapfrog their opponents with victory, while a draw would keep Kenya ahead heading into the final group games.

Later in the day, Zambia will take on Angola at 4:00 p.m., with both teams desperate to revive their campaigns.

Zambia remain rooted to the bottom of the group with no points, while Angola, on one point, need a win to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.

The Group A standings remain finely balanced.

Kenya’s steady start, which has yielded a win and a draw, has given them an early advantage, but Morocco and DR Congo — who also have three points — remain firmly in contention.

Angola, despite their slow start, are not mathematically out of the race, but they face a must-win scenario against Zambia.

Sunday’s first match carries significant implications not only for the group leadership but also for qualification scenarios.

A Moroccan victory would see them take pole position, potentially setting up a decisive final group clash against DR Congo.

Conversely, a Kenyan win would all but secure their place in the quarter-finals, marking a major statement in their CHAN campaign.

Morocco, who began their tournament with a strong performance before a setback in their second outing, will be looking to reassert themselves.

Their ability to break down a disciplined Kenyan defence could prove decisive.

Kenya, meanwhile, will aim to maintain their defensive solidity while exploiting counter-attacking opportunities, a tactic that has served them well so far.

The later fixture between Zambia and Angola could also influence the group’s dynamics.

Zambia, still chasing their first points, will have nothing to lose and may adopt an attacking approach.

Angola, who have shown flashes of quality, must find consistency if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive.

With just two rounds of group-stage action remaining, Sunday’s matches promise to be defining moments in Group A, where every point gained — or lost — could determine the fate of the teams vying for a place in the knockout rounds.

Group A standings before Sunday’s matches:

1. Kenya – 4 points
2. Morocco – 3 points
3. DR Congo – 3 points
4. Angola – 1 point
5. Zambia – 0 points