Chances were at a premium as Comoros and Zambia played out the first goalless draw of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in a low-key encounter in Casablanca.
Match Report
The key moment came midway through the first half when Comoros striker Myziane Maolida thought he had scored the easiest of goals, walking the ball into an empty net from five yards out after fantastic wing play from Rafiki Said.
However, Mauritian referee Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall correctly ruled the effort out after a Video Assistant Referee intervention spotted a foul in the immediate build-up, with Yacine Bourhane making a poor late challenge and standing on Owen Tembo's foot.
While the Coelacanths were largely the better side throughout, much of the second half was a non-event.
Comoros again had the best chance, Faiz Selemani heading a deep cross onto the roof of the net with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza stranded in no man's land after coming off his line and getting nowhere near the delivery.
The result will be more to Comoros' liking, leaving them with one point ahead of their final Group A match against Mali back in Casablanca on Monday (19:00 GMT).
Zambia, who have two points, will likely have to beat host nation Morocco in their simultaneous closing game in Rabat to reach the last 16.
Line-ups
Zambia XI: Lubambo Musonda, Patson Daka, Benson Sakala, Fashion Sakala, Lameck Banda, Kings Kangwa, Dominic Chanda, Willard Mwanza, Owen Tembo, David Simukonda, Mathews Banda
Subs: Kabaso Chongo, Frankie Musonda, Lawrence Mulenga, Jack Lahne, Kennedy Musonda, Miguel Chaiwa, Joseph Sabobo, Joseph Liteta, Francis Mwansa, Gift Prosper Mphande, Obino Chisala, Wilson Chisala, Pascal Phiri, Given Kalusa, Eliya Mandanji
Comoros XI: Youssouf M'Changama, Saïd Bakari, Akim Abdallah, Maolida, Yacine Bourhane, Youssouf, Ahmed Soilihi, Yannick Pandor, Rafiki Saïd, Ismaël Boura, Kenan Toibibou
Subs: Ben Nabouhane, Benjaloud Youssouf, Faïz Selemani, Salim Ben Boina, Raouf Mroivili, Kassim M'Dahoma, Rémy Vita, Iyad Mohamed, Aymeric Ahmed, Zaïd Amir, Yannis Kari, Adel Anzimati-Aboudou, Idris Mohamed, Rayan Lutin, Aboubacar Ali
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