The Chipolopolo of Zambia will go out in search of a victory to take their tally to four points after their opening game draw against Mali in Group A, while Comoros, which fought valiantly against Morocco in their first outing of the competition, will have their eyes set on a victory, in a bid to forestall the potential of an early exit.
The Zambians had to fight in the closing stages of their opening encounter against Mali to claim a point in the first exertion of their current AFCON campaign, and the manner in which they earned that result could boost their morale ahead of their next fixture.
Before that game, Moses Sichone's charges were on a dreadful four-game losing streak across all competitions, and their chance of progressing beyond the group stage was next to nothing. However, with that draw, they will feel alive as they go into this encounter.
That said, the Southern Africans are winless in their last 10 group matches at the AFCON, managing eight draws and two losses in their last 10 outings, including the latest one against Mali, the Zambians have to find a way to halt that horrible run if they are to reverse that unwanted record.
Meanwhile, Comoros are participating in only their second AFCON competition, after their 2021 debut in Cameroon.
Four years ago, they reached the round of 16, and they will have their sights set on equalling that record, or even going one better, but their seven-game winless run will cast a shadow on their readiness to do that.
Besides their winless run, Stefano Cusin's men have endured an atrocious defensive record, having conceded 12 goals in their last five matches, and at least 2+ goals in their last five outings.
Nevertheless, Cusin's men can not be written off, as they have claimed the scalp of some major football powerhouses in Africa, most notably, Ghana, when they claimed a 3-2 win to book their place in the last in Cameroon in 2021.
How the bookies view it: The bookies are behind Zambia
Zambia ahave been priced at 59/50 on Betano to win on Friday, and that is a measure of the confidence of the bookie.
Meanwhile, Comoros have odds of 6/5, which is a long odd, with a lesser likelihood of winning after regulation time.
Recent head-to-head: Comoros have held their own
Despite the poor start of Comoros to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, they are well accustomed to the Zambians, and their record against the South Africans speaks for them.
Player to watch: Patson Daka
Zambia struggled against for the most part of their opening match against Mali, and therefore, they could not create a lot of chances in the encounter.
However, when they finally created one, it was Patson Daka, who had the presence of mind and awareness to make the most of the chance. Hence, he will be crucial to the chances of the Chipolopolo on Friday.
Probable line-ups
Not much is expected to change in terms of the starting XI for these two sides, and both managers are likely to field the same team on Friday.
Zambia: Mwansa; M. Banda, B. Sakala, Chanda, Musonda; Chaiwa, Kangwa, Tembo; F.Sakala, Daka, L. Banda
Comoros: Pandor (GK), Toibubu, Soilihi, Kari, Boura; B. Youssouf, Z. Youssouf, Mohammed, Selemani, N’Changama, Said
Anything else that catches the eye?
Comoros have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five outings, including their AFCON opener against Morocco, where they lost by a 2-0 scoreline.
Given their defensive woes, that horrible trend could be extended against Zambia, when they clash this weekend.
GambleAware