Morocco trump Zambia, help out AFCON hosts
Morocco defeated Zambia 1-0 in their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group F match played at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro on Wednesday night.
The result, secured by a Hakim Ziyech goal late in the first half, saw the Atlas Lions top their group with seven points, but more importantly ensured that Chipolopolo did not leapfrog tournament hosts Ivory Coast in the rankings for the third-place finishers. The Elephants therefore squeeze through to the next round ahead of the Southern Africans.
Morocco dominated possession and forced Zambia onto the back foot, stringing together passes and finding space down the flanks – though they were mostly restricted to long range efforts in the opening half hour.
However, the North Africans dialled up the pressure and were rewarded in the 38th minute when goalkeeper Tresford Mulenga was unable to hold Achraf Hakimi’s low cross, allowing Hakim Ziyech to latch onto the loose ball and fire home for 1-0.
Two minutes later Mulenga made a fine save to keep out Ayoub El Kaabi’s goal-bound header, as the Atlas Lions moved through the gears and looked to take complete control of the game before the interval.
A goal down at the break, Zambia looked to up their attacking output in the second half and weren’t far away from an equaliser by Lamech Banda just before the hour mark.
READ ALSO: I already know my next career step – Chelsea target Osimhen
Morocco also offered a threat of their own and had the luxury of swapping in the likes of Amir Richardson, Abde Ezzalzouli and Tarik Tissoudali from the substitutes’ bench.
Chipolopolo came closest to finding an equaliser in the 87th minute when Kings Kanwa unleashed a long-range shot which forced a finger-tip save from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
It was as close as Zambia would come, with Morocco seeing out the win to top Group F ahead of DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania. The Atlas Lions will go on to face South Africa in the Round of 16.
Zambia: 0
Morocco: (1) 1 (Ziyech 38’)
Zambia: Mulenga, Mwape (C. Chama 83’), Sunzu, F. Musonda, L. Musonda, Chaiwa, Chilufya (Kangwa 71’), K. Musonda (Sakala 71’), E. Banda, L. Banda, Daka
Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Abdelhamid, Attiyat Allah, Amrabat, Saibari (Richardson 68’), Boufal (Ezzalzouli 68’), Ounahi (El Khannouss 84’), Ziyech (Adli 46’), El Kaabi (Tissoudali 73’)