Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice and Achraf Hakimi returned from injury as Morocco booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages with a 3-0 win over Zambia.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
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Match Report
Hakimi has been out of action since he was injured while playing for Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in early November.
Morocco's star player came on as a second-half substitute at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Monday, with his team already three goals to the good.
El Kaabi opened the scoring with a diving header in the ninth minute, with Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz sweeping home to make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark.
A stunning El Kaabi bicycle kick was initially ruled out in the 50th minute, but a VAR check confirmed the Morocco forward had beaten the offside trap to meet Abde Ezzalzouli's cross.
The kind of finish you watch once, then again and again and again. Ft. Ayoub El Kaabi. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/iLhQSOo9Kr
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 29, 2025
With Mali and Comoros drawing 0-0 in the other game, Morocco confirmed their spot at the top of Group A, meaning Walid Regragui's team will play one of the best third-place teams in the last 16 on January 4.
Data Debrief: Morocco hit their stride
This was as convincing as you can get from Morocco, who made their quality count against a Zambia team that have now been knocked out.
Morocco had 19 shots and hit the target nine times, registering 1.89 expected goals. Zambia, meanwhile, managed just five efforts, with none of those on target, for a meagre 0.3 xG.
It was a confident return to action from Hakimi, who attempted three shots and forced a fine save from Willard Mwanza late on, while he also won the only duel he contested.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' Match Event for Zambia vs Morocco
10' GOAL! Zambia 0-1 Morocco
22' Match Event for Zambia vs Morocco
27' GOAL! Zambia 0-2 Morocco (Brahim Díaz)
48' Match Event for Zambia vs Morocco
51' GOAL! Zambia 0-3 Morocco (Ayoub El Kaabi)
81' Match Event for Zambia vs Morocco
Line-ups
Zambia XI: Kabaso Chongo, Lubambo Musonda, Patson Daka, Benson Sakala, Kings Kangwa, Dominic Chanda, Miguel Chaiwa, David Hamansenya, Joseph Liteta, Willard Mwanza, Mathews Banda
Subs: Stoppila Sunzu, Frankie Musonda, Lawrence Mulenga, Jack Lahne, Lameck Banda, Kennedy Musonda, Joseph Sabobo, Francis Mwansa, Owen Tembo, Gift Prosper Mphande, Obino Chisala, Wilson Chisala, Pascal Phiri, Given Kalusa, Eliya Mandanji
Morocco XI: Bounou, Mohamed Chibi, Masina, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Brahim, A. El Kaabi, Neil El Aynaoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Abde Ezzalzouli
Subs: Munir, Amrabat, Hakimi, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Anass Salah-Eddine, Oussama Targhalline, Youssef Belammari, Ilias Akhomach, El Mehdi Al Harrar, Bilal El Khannouss, Chemsdine Talbi, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal