Morocco secured a 3‑0 victory over Zambia at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, advancing to the last 16 as winners of Group A. The hosts dominated in front of 62,532 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with Ayoub El Kaabi scoring twice and Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz adding the third goal.
El Kaabi opened the scoring nine minutes into the match, nodding in a right‑side corner. Diaz doubled the lead before the half‑hour mark, sweeping home a low ball from Abde Ezzalzouli. After the break, El Kaabi sealed the win with an overhead kick six minutes into the second half; the goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a VAR review. Azzedine Ounahi provided key assists for two of the goals, underscoring Morocco’s strong team performance.
The win marked a strong rebound for Morocco, whose 19‑match winning run had ended with a 1‑1 draw against Mali in their previous game. With two wins and a draw, the Atlas Lions finished the first round with seven points, topping Group A. Mali, after a third consecutive draw (0‑0 against Comoros), took second place.
Captain Achraf Hakimi returned as a second‑half substitute, making his first appearance since an ankle injury in early November. His entry was met with a huge cheer from the crowd, and he almost added to the scoreline before Zambia’s Willard Mwanza made a crucial late save.
Morocco will remain in Rabat for a last‑16 clash on January 4 against one of the best third‑placed finishers. Ranked as Africa’s top side by FIFA, the Atlas Lions aim to continue their strong form in the knockout phase. Zambia, meanwhile, exits the tournament without a win in their final group game, a disappointing outcome for a nation that has not lifted the AFCON trophy since 2012.
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