Morocco cruise past Zambia to seal AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Spot
Morocco underlined their status as one of the leading contenders at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dominant 3–0 victory over Zambia, securing qualification for the Round of 16 as Group A winners.
In front of a passionate crowd of 62,532 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Ayoub El Kaabi struck twice while Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz continued his fine scoring run, finding the net for the third consecutive match at the tournament.
The result sees Walid Regragui’s side finish the group stage unbeaten with seven points from three matches, ahead of Mali, who settled for second place after a goalless draw with Comoros.
As group winners, Morocco earn a significant advantage, remaining in Rabat for their last-16 clash on Sunday, January 4, where they will face one of the best third-placed teams.
Morocco set the tone early
Zambia entered the match knowing only a win would guarantee qualification, but the hosts wasted no time asserting control. Morocco opened the scoring in the ninth minute when a cleverly worked corner from the right found Azzedine Ounahi, whose delicate first-time delivery to the back post was met by El Kaabi’s powerful header.
Related Article: AFCON 2025: Morocco beat Comoros 2–0 in Opening Match
The early breakthrough settled Moroccan nerves and allowed them to dictate the tempo against a Zambian side ranked 80 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
Diaz continues red-hot AFCON form
The Atlas Lions doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark following a flowing team move. Ounahi once again pulled the strings, threading a perfectly weighted pass behind the Zambian defence for Abde Ezzalzouli, whose low cross evaded El Kaabi but was calmly swept home by Brahim Diaz.
The goal marked Diaz’s third of the tournament, reinforcing his importance to Morocco’s attacking rhythm and creativity.
El Kaabi seals it in style
Morocco resumed the second half with the same intensity and put the result beyond doubt six minutes after the restart. El Kaabi timed his run to perfection, beating the offside trap before finishing acrobatically from another Ounahi assist.
The strike was initially ruled out, but VAR intervened, confirming the goal and lifting El Kaabi to three goals at AFCON 2025, level with Brahim Diaz and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez in the scoring charts.
Hakimi returns to rapturous reception
The comfortable scoreline allowed Regragui to manage his squad, with a huge cheer greeting Achraf Hakimi’s introduction in the 64th minute. The African Player of the Year made his first appearance of the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury suffered while on club duty with Paris Saint-Germain.
Hakimi nearly marked his return with a goal late on, only to be denied by a sharp save from Willard Mwanza.
Momentum building for the hosts
Morocco’s victory was a timely response after seeing their 19-match winning streak end in a draw against Mali in the previous game. With attacking confidence, defensive solidity, and key players returning to fitness, the Atlas Lions head into the knockout phase with belief growing across the nation.
For Zambia, the defeat confirmed elimination and extended a difficult AFCON run for a side still searching for consistency since lifting the trophy in 2012.
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