Group A of the 2024 African Nations Championship enters a decisive phase on Thursday, with Morocco, Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo all facing must-win fixtures to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The opening match of the day sees Morocco take on Zambia in a clash that could prove pivotal for both sides. Morocco, regarded as one of the tournament favourites, has yet to fully justify that tag, delivering inconsistent displays in its opening games. The North Africans know that anything less than a victory would risk their position in the race for the knockout stages.
Zambia, meanwhile, finds itself in a far more precarious situation. Sitting at the foot of the table, the Southern African side faces a do-or-die encounter.
With just one point separating them from the top half of the group, the Chipolopolo must secure a positive result to keep their campaign alive before the final round of group matches.
Later in the evening, Angola meets the Democratic Republic of Congo in a fixture that promises intensity and high drama. Angola has emerged as one of the group’s surprise packages, displaying impressive resilience in their earlier outings. A victory here would put them in a commanding position at the top of the standings.
For the DRC, however, this match represents an opportunity for redemption. Boasting a strong track record in the competition and a squad brimming with experience, the Leopards have endured an underwhelming start to the tournament. Currently third in the group, they will be determined to reassert themselves and climb into contention for a quarter-final berth.
With the standings finely poised, the margins for error are almost non-existent. The top two spots remain within reach for all four sides, and Thursday’s results could significantly reshape the qualification picture.
Thursday’s fixtures:
14:00 GMT: Morocco vs Zambia
17:00 GMT: Angola vs DRC
Group A’s destiny will edge closer to resolution by the end of the day — but for the teams involved, the only certainty is that defeat could prove fatal to their ambitions.
