JAKARTA - Hosts of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco, beat Zambia 3-0 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, on Monday, December 29, 2025, to end the Group A campaign with a bang and advance to the last 16.
Two goals from Ayoub El Kaabi - including his sensational overhead kick - and a fine finish from Brahim Diaz were enough to beat Zambia, who were eliminated from the group stage.
Meanwhile, Mali's draw against Comoros without a goal in Casablanca was enough for them to advance to the knockout phase as runners-up of the group, accompanying Morocco.
Morocco's victory also marked the return of one of their star players, Achraf Hakimi, who has been absent since the beginning of November 2025 after suffering an ankle injury while playing for his club, Paris Saint-Germain.
In fact, Zambia's defense was helpless against the onslaught of the hosts, looking nervous from the first 20 seconds - with El Kaabi snatching the ball from Dominic Chanda from the opening kick, but less confident in his finishing. Meanwhile, Ezzalzouli fired a direct shot at Mwanza moments later.
The inclusion of Real Betis winger Ezzalzouli in the starting XI has given Morocco an El Clasico feel to their front line. The 24-year-old, who spent two years at Barcelona, has collaborated very well with Real Madrid's Diaz.
El Kaabi opened the scoring after nine minutes. A corner kick was taken by Azzedine Ounahi, the striker greeted the ball in the penalty box with a diving header that sent the ball past Willard Mwanza.
Diaz, who was outstanding, added the second goal in the 27th minute, confidently firing home a cross from Abde Ezzalzouli from the left that El Kaabi failed to reach in the middle of the penalty area.
Zambia struggled to dominate the ball. Diaz almost added a third goal before halftime, firing wide of the far post after receiving a pass from Ezzalzouli following a slick combination with Ounahi.
El Kaabi added the final goal five minutes after the second half began with a goal that could have been the best goal of the tournament after scoring a salto goal against Comoros in the opening group match.
Turns out, he again showed acrobatic jumping kicks to score Morocco's third goal. He moved backwards, jumped into the air to greet Ounahi's cross, which triggered a lively celebration throughout the Moroccan capital.
Perhaps the loudest cheer of the night was for Hakimi when he came off the bench in the 64th minute to replace Noussair Mazraoui.
The right winger looked lively after coming on. His return will be a big boost for Atlas Lions head coach Walid Regragui, who is starting to feel the pressure after his team's world-record winning streak ended against Mali in the second group match.
Morocco, who advanced as group champions, will now face one of the three best third-placed teams from Group C, D or E in Rabat on January 4, 2026.
Meanwhile, Mali will meet the runner-up of Group C - possibly Tunisia - in Casablanca on January 3, 2026.
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