2023 AFCON: Zambia v Morocco report

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Jan 25, 2024. 00:06

Match 35 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations saw Morocco defeat Zambia in a Group F clash at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro.

Date: Wednesday 24 January 2024

Result: Zambia 0 Morocco (1) 1 (Ziyech 38’)

Teams: 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’).

First 45: Morocco gradually built pressure as the game wore on 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, and the half closed at 1-0 in favour of Morocco.

Second 45: Chances were harder to come by in the second half, with Morocco continuing to dominate possession. Zambia 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.

What the result means: Morocco top the group on seven points, ahead of DR Congo (who drew 0-0 with Tanzania, finished on three points and join the Atlas Lions in progression). Zambia came home in third, but have been eliminated from the tournament alongside bottom-of-the-log Tanzania.

What’s next: Morocco will face South Africa in the final Round of 16 clash on Tuesday 30 January in San Pedro.