Comoros midfielder Youssouf Zaidou delivered a tireless display and was rewarded with the Man of the Match award in his side’s 0–0 draw with Zambia at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
In a tense Group A battle at AFCON 2025, Zaidou’s work rate, composure on the ball and leadership in midfield stood out in a game short on goals but full of intensity.
Comoros started brightly and thought they had their breakthrough when Mzean Maoulida scored in the 19th minute, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a foul in the build-up. Zaidou kept driving his team forward, helping them control long spells of possession and pinning Zambia back, even if the final touch was missing.
After the match, Zaidou admitted the award could not erase the disappointment of failing to win, stressing that it belonged to the whole team and that focus must quickly turn to the decisive final group game.
Comoros now head into their clash with Mali still in the race for qualification, while Zaidou’s performance underlines his growing importance for the island nation on the continental stage.
