Morocco's Opponent Zambia to Play Two Friendlies Against DR Congo and Ivory Coast in Spain Ahead of AFCON

The Zambian national football team will play two friendly matches as part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place from December 21 to January 18. These matches are part of their current training camp in Spain. Today, Tuesday, they will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Murcia, before taking on reigning champions Ivory Coast tomorrow, Wednesday.

National team coach Moses Sichone is employing a strategic plan: local players will participate in the first match, while professionals playing in foreign leagues will feature in the second encounter.

Sichone explained, "Most of the professional players will not be available for the match against DR Congo due to new FIFA schedules, but they will be ready for the Ivory Coast game. As for the players participating in the first match, they will get a rest period before traveling to Morocco."

This preparatory program comes as Zambia is drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Mali, and Comoros, making these two friendly matches a crucial opportunity to fine-tune the squad and prepare the players for strong competition.