Already assured of qualification, at least as one of the four best third-placed players, the Atlas Lions had the challenge of finishing as leaders of their group, so as not to have to change a city with which they have become acclimatized. , during their next match.
The national team started this game without its coach Walid Regragui, suspended four matches, including two suspended, following the scuffles that occurred at the end of the match against DR Congo (1-1). In the meantime, assistant coach Rachid Benmahmoud is taking over as interim coach.
For this final day of the group stage, Ayoub El Kaabi is lined up from the start, for the first time in this African Cup, while Yayha Attiat-Allah, returning from injury, Ismael Saibari and Yunis Abdelhamid, who played their first match in this CAN, appeared in the starting eleven. Amir Richardson and Tarik Tissoudali, lined up in the second half, also had their baptism of fire during this edition.
The Moroccan selection opened the scoring in the 37th minute: Achraf Hakimi executed a low cross which sowed discord among the Zambian defenders, especially with El Kaabi on the lookout, and Hakim Ziyech took advantage of the confusion to place the ball in the cage.
Before this goal, the Atlas Lions had to deal with an opponent gathered in defense and who tried to hit the mark with counter-attacks. They thus dominated, without being able to really worry the Zambian goalkeeper.
Ziyech’s goal somewhat destabilized the Zambian team, which was on the verge of being stunned a few minutes later (40th) by El Kaakbi who, upon receiving a cross from Sofiane Boufal, struck with his head and forced the goalkeeper made a great save.
Back from the locker room, the Nationals tried to strike hard. The clearest opportunity was offered to Amine Adli, replacing the injured Ziyech, who was served at the bottom by Boufal, but came up against the goalkeeper (47th).
Apart from this slight pressure at the start of the second half, the national team did not take advantage of its strong moments, due to a lack of harmony between players who are not yet used to playing together.
The end of the match was thrilling: The Zambians finally offered themselves their first clear opportunity which could have complicated things for the national eleven, fortunately Bounou diverted Emmanuel Banda’s powerful shot (87th).
The Atlas Lions, for their part, could have scored a second liberating goal (albeit late), but both Richardson’s shot and the second ball taken by Tissoudali were stopped by the Zambian goalkeeper.
In the other match of this group, DR Congo drew with Tanzania (0-0) at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo, thus securing their ticket to the round of 16.
The Congolese team occupies 2nd place in this group with 3 points, behind Morocco, leader with 7 points.
Zambia and Tanzania, last in the group with 2 points, are eliminated from the competition.
In the round of 16, Morocco will face South Africa, 2nd in Group E, next Tuesday (9 p.m. GMT+1), at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro, while DR Congo will face Egypt, 2nd in group B, this Sunday at the same time.
