Overview:
When Senegalese referee Issa Sy called for full-time, Morocco had sealed the victory and sailed to the round of 16 stage with 7 points. Mali’s point from their third draw at the tournament with Comoros meant that the West Africans finish second on three points and qualify as the second best team.
AFCON 2025 (Group A):
- Zambia 0-3 Morocco
- Comoros 0-0 Mali
AFCON 2025 hosts produced a magical performance, arguably their best thus far in the championship with a resounding 3-0 victory over Zambia Chipolopolo Stars at a fully packed Prince Hassan Moulay stadium in Rabat.
This group A duel, played concurrently as Mali’s and Comoros (ended 0-0) was one-sided before 62,532 spectators.
A brace by Olympiacos’ forward Ayoub El Kaabi and Real Madrid talisman Brahim Abdelkader Diaz won the day for the Atlas Lions.
Right from the on-set of the game, Morocco proved to be the team on a mission possible.
Ezzalozouli Abdessamad forced a save from goalkeeper Willard Mwanza as early as the 6th minute.
Zambian midfielder Kings Kangwa pulled the shirt of Diaz, inside his own half for a foul is given against the former.
El Kaabi headed home the opener after ten minutes for the opener following a perfectly weighted delivery from Azz Eddine Ounahi.
Morocco maintained the high pressing game when Silas Musondo fouled Neil El Aynaoui to grant the Atlas Lions a free-kick opportunity not utilized in the 18th minute.
On 23 minutes, Moroccco had another freekick after Benson Sakala’s handball.
Diaz made contact with Abdessamad Ezzalzouli laid ball from the left for the second goal after 26 minutes.
Two minutes later, Sakala was cautioned for a foul on Ounahi.
Ounahi shot way over the goal frame in the 34th minute before Diaz missed from close range off a good lay up by Ounahi.
Towards the end of the opening half, Kabaso Chongo picked a second yellow card following a late challenge on El Kaabi as Morocco led 2-0 heading to the recess.
Upon restart of the second half, Zambia called for a double change.
Lameck Banda paved way for Joseph Liteta and Eliya Mandanji was rested for Kabaso Chongo.
The Chipolopolo Stars’ first shot towards goal came after 48 minutes when Patson Daka shot off target inside the Morocco goal area with a left footed shot.
It was 3-0 on 50 minutes; thanks to El Kaabi’s classic overhead kick after Ounahi’s deft chip.
The goal had to wait for two minutes with the confirmation of the Video Assistant Referee review.
Eliya Mandanji became the third Zambian player to be cautioned in the match in the 54th minute for a late challenge.
Towards the half hour mark, Zambia lost defender Mathews Banda through injury, and was replaced by another Banda entity in Lameck.
In the 64th minute, the stadium erupted to life as Hakimi Achraf was introduced to the game.
Hakimi was one of the three triple changes, replacing Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui.
Ben Seghir took over Ismael Saibari’s place and Diaz was replaced by Ilias Akomach.
Morocco also called for double change in the 73rd minute, introducing Talbi Chemsdine and Soufiane Rahimi for Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi respectively.
Hakimi blasted the ball over a free kick on his first threat at goal before he forced a save from goalkeeper Willard Mwanza moments later.
With 12 minutes to play, Zambia called for a double change. Given Kalusha came on for Kings Kangwa and Wilson Chisala replaced Patson Daka.
Ounahi was cautioned deep in added time during the closing stages of the game.
When Senegalese referee Issa Sy called for full-time, Morocco had sealed the victory and sailed to the round of 16 stage with 7 points.
Mali’s point from their third draw at the tournament with Comoros meant that the West Africans finish second on three points and qualify as the second-best team.
Team Line ups:
Zambia XI: Willard Mwanza (G.K), Mathews Banda, Changa Miguel Chaiwa, Benson Sakala, Sailas Lubambo Musonda (Captain), Kabaso Chongo, Kings Kangwa, Patson Daka, Dominic Chanda, David Hamansenya, Joseph Liteta
Subs: Lawrence Mulenga (G.K), Francis Mwansa (G.K), Obino Chisala, Frankie Chisenga Musonda, Jack Lahne, Lameck Banda, Joseph Banda, Wilson Sosho Chisala, Stopilla Sunzu, Given Kalusa, Kennedy Musonda, Pascol Phiri, Gift Prosper Mphande, Owen Tembo, Eliya Mandanji
Head coach: Moses Mwape Sichone (Zambia)
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou (G.K), Noussair Mazaraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Azz Eddine Ounahi, Brahim Abdelkader Diaz, Ismael Saibari, Mohamed Chibi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El-Kaabi, Neil El-Aynaoui, Adam Masina
Subs: Monir El Kajoui (G.K), Elmedhi Al Harrar (G.K), Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Soufiane Rahimi, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Oussama Targhalline, Ilias Akhomach, Talbi Chemsdine, Anass Salah Eddine, Abdelhamad Ait Boudlal, Youssef Belammari
Head coach: Hoalid Regregui (Morocco)
Match officials:
- Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
- Assistant Referee 1: Djibril Camara (Senegal)
- Assistant Referee 2: Nouha Bangoura (Senegal)
- Fourth official: Tanguy Patrice Mebiame (Gabon)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Tom Abongile (South Africa)
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR): Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)
- Commissioner: Jean Didier Malunga (Cote D’Ivoire)
- General Coordinator: Khaled Lemkecher (Tunisia)
