Morocco continue their title defence with a quarter-final clash against Zambia at the Douala Reunification Stadium on Sunday.
Zambia come aiming to surpass their 2018 run, where crashed out at this stage of the tournament following a 1-0 defeat to Libya.
Match preview
Morocco are the defending champions of the African Nations Championship, after an emphatic win over Nigeria in the final on home soil.
This year, the Atlas Lions opened their campaign with a shaky 1-0 win over Togo thanks to Yahya Jabrane's first-half penalty, before falling to a disappointing goalless draw with the Amavubi of Rwanda.
Vahid Halilhodzic's men finally found their groove in the final group game, as they came from behind to thrash the Cranes of Uganda 5-2 at the Douala Reunification Stadium.
In what is the tournament's highest-scoring game so far, Ibrahim Orit put Uganda ahead in the 25th minute, before goals from Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza El Moussaoui and a brace from Soufiane Rahimi gave the Lions a well-deserved victory.
On the other hand, Zambia finished as runners-up in Group D with five points, only falling behind first-placed Guinea on goal difference.
Milutin Sredojevic's men secured a 2-0 victory over Tanzania in the opening group game, before stumbling to consecutive draws against Guinea and Namibia.
Morocco and Zambia finished the group stages unbeaten, but the defending champions, particularly, are on an excellent run, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
The previous four meetings between both nations have come in friendly games, and Morocco have been slightly the better side with two wins, one draw and one defeat.
Halilhodzic and Sredojevic will go head to head for the second time in their coaching careers, with Halilhodzic coming out victorious with a 4-0 win in their previous meeting.
Morocco aim to defend their 2018 title and become the first nation to win the African Nations Championship in back-to-back campaigns, while the Chipolopolo will look to go a step better than their third-placed finish of 2009, which is their best run to date.
Morocco African Nations Championship form: WDW
Morocco form (all competitions): DWWWDW
Zambia African Nations Championship form: WDD
Zambia form (all competitions): LWWWDD
Team News
Both Morocco and Zambia have clean bills of health and no suspended players coming into this fixture.
Soufiane Rahimi and Ayoub El Karbi were star performers for Morocco last time out, and we expect them to lead the Atlas Lions' attack once again.
Considering the high stakes of the game, Zambia will most likely field their strongest XI, meaning we could see an unchanged back four of Clement Mwape, Luka Banda, Zachariah Chilongoshi and captain Adrian Chama for the second consecutive game.
Green Eagles forward Spencer Sautu could be handed his first start at the tournament, after several impressive performances off the bench.
Morocco possible starting lineup:
Zniti; El Moussaoui, Boutouil, Bouftini, Baadi; Jabrane, Larbi, El Karti; Rahimi, El Kaabi, Hadraf
Zambia possible starting lineup:
Chibwe; Chilongoshi, Banda, Chama, Mwape; Mafwenta, Kapumbu; Katema, Sikombe, Sautu; Chabula
We say: Morocco 2-0 Zambia
Comparing both squads, Morocco are firm favorites on paper coming into this tie, and while the Zambians will be no pushover, we expect the Atlas Lions to carry the momentum from their impressive display against Uganda and grab the win on Sunday.
Top betting tip
Joshua Ojele
