AFCON
Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco in convincing form as they dispatch Zambia
Morocco forward Ayoub El Kaabi netted a double and midfield maestro Brahim Diaz added another as the Africa Cup of Nations hosts turned in a convincing performance in outclassing Zambia 3-0 on Monday to top Group A.
El Kaabi powered home an early headed goal and then scored with one of his trademark bicycle kicks while Diaz netted for the third successive game as Morocco swept their opponents aside to finish on seven points ahead of second-placed Mali on three.
After a timid start to the tournament, with a nervy opening game win over tiny Comoros and then an uninspiring 1-1 draw with Mali on Friday, Morocco finally looked like the favourites that many have made them for the 24-team tournament.
Defeat meant Zambia were eliminated, as they finished bottom of the group with two points, behind Comoros on goal difference.
Morocco were on the attack from the start with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza forced into a save after 12 seconds and then making a point-blank stop in the sixth minute to deny Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
But he was unable to stop El Kaabi’s diving header in the ninth minute as the striker powered his way in between three defenders to get onto the end of a corner.
El Kaabi might have had his second goal in the 27th minute but failed to get a touch to Ezzalzouli’s driving cross. But Diaz timed his arrival in the box perfectly to sweep it home with the left foot.
Diaz drove most of the Moroccan attacks. A menace to the opposing defence with his trickery on the ball, he is fast becoming a fan favourite at the tournament.
El Kaabi’s second goal came from a ball over the top of the Zambian defence as he launched into an overhead kick for a spectacular finish. It was initially flagged offside but a VAR check confirmed he was onside when the ball was delivered.
“It was not an easy match but thanks to a well thought game plan, we managed to secure the result we needed and seal our qualification,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
“We are the home team so we must always play our games as a final. We have a very supportive crowd who are rallying behind us and that is why all the players are giving it their best in every match,” he added.
HAKIMI MAKES RETURN TO ACTION
Morocco captain, and recently crowned African Footballer of the Year, Achraf Hakimi came on to great acclaim as a 64th minute substitute and had a beaming smile on his face in his first outing since suffering an ankle injury in the Champions League almost eight weeks ago.
Hakimi’s participation in the tournament had been in doubt but his recovery was completed sooner than expected with praise from his coach for his application in the rehabilitation process.
The Paris St Germain right back was inches away from a fairytale goal in the 81st minute as a stabbed effort with the outside of the boot looked bound for the net, only for Mwanza to make a full-stretch save.
Morocco now wait to find out the identity of their opponents in the last 16 at the weekend, which will be one of the four best third-placed finishers.
-Reuters
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Oswin Appollis scored a penalty in the final 10 minutes to hand South Africa a 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in Marrakech on Monday and seal second spot in Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations, dumping their southern African rivals out of the tournament.
South Africa finish with six points in the group, one behind winners Egypt. Both of those advance to the last 16 as Angola (2) finish in third and face an anxious wait to see if that is enough as one of the four best third-placed sides.
South Africa led three times in the game thanks to a first international goal from Tshepang Moremi, as well as strikes from Lyle Foster and Appollis, but coach Hugo Broos will be concerned by how open his side were at times at the back.
Tawanda Maswanhise scored an excellent first equaliser for Zimbabwe and they also profited from an Aubrey Modiba own goal as they missed several other chances and should have earned at least a draw.
South Africa, who finished third in the Ivory Coast two years ago and have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, have yet to hit top gear in the tournament, and were cut apart far too easily by Zimbabwe at times
South Africa led after seven minutes as Moremi’s shot took a wicked deflection off Divine Lunga and looped into the net.
Zimbabwe hit back in the 19th minute with a goal that will go down as one of the best of the tournament as Maswanhise picked up the ball 35 yards out and danced past two defenders before drilling a low shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
POOR DEFENDING
But South Africa were back in front five minutes after the break when Lunga’s back header to keeper Washington Arubi allowed Foster to sneak in ahead and nod the ball into the net.
Zimbabwe equalised again in the 73rd minute as Maswanhise’s low shot was saved by Williams, but the ball deflected onto Modiba and into the net for an own goal.
South Africa were awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining when midfielder Marvelous Nakamba made a goalkeeper-style diving save and handled a shot that appeared to be going wide.
Appollis converted from the spot and Zimbabwe’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages at the sixth attempt were dashed.
-Reuters
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Mali and Comoros played to a tepid 0-0 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations Group A fixture in Casablanca on Monday, a result that sends the Malians into the last 16 and eliminates their rivals from the tournament.
Mali finish second in Group A with three points having drawn all their matches, leaving them behind pool winners Morocco (seven points).
Comoros finish in third with two points, but their -2 goal-difference means they will not be one of the four best third-place finishers that advance to the knockout stage.
Mali will face the runner-up in Group C in the next round, with their opponents to be revealed at the completion of that pool on Tuesday, but almost certain to be Tunisia.
They will be without Amadou Haidara for that fixture after he received a late red card against Comoros for a dangerous challenge.
There was little goal-mouth action against the Indian Ocean side, with just three shots on target all game, but Mali got the point they needed to ensure their progress.
Midfielder Yves Bissouma saw his goal-bound effort saved by Yannick Pandor in the Comoros goal with the best chance of the first half.
Comoros were forced forward in the second period as they had to chase the win, and El Fardou Ben forced an excellent stop from Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra as his shot looked to be arrowing into the top corner before being saved.
-Reuters
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The Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco enters its decisive phase on Monday as the final round of group-stage fixtures kicks off, with qualification still hanging in the balance for most of the field. True to AFCON tradition, late drama looks inevitable.
Three heavyweights — Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria — have already secured their places in the Round of 16 after winning their opening two matches. For the rest, the final group games will determine not only who finishes in the top two but also which sides can cling to hope through the race for the best third-placed spots.
Group B: Egypt Safe, Chaos Behind
Egypt’s perfect start has them clear on six points and safely through, but the battle behind remains fierce. South Africa, second on three points, know victory over Zimbabwe would guarantee progression. Angola, level on one point with Zimbabwe, face the daunting task of upsetting Egypt while hoping other results tilt in their favor. With goal difference tight, a single swing could prove decisive.
Group A: Hosts Morocco Still Under Pressure
Hosts Morocco top Group A on four points but are not yet assured of safety. Mali and Zambia sit locked on two points, while Comoros remain alive with one. Monday night’s fixtures could flip the group upside down: Morocco face Zambia, who have already shown resilience, while Mali cannot afford a slip against Comoros in what may become a straight shootout for qualification.
Group C: Nigeria Through, Tunisia on Edge
Tuesday’s action sees Nigeria, already qualified, take on Uganda. Tunisia, on three points, must handle business against Tanzania. Yet both Tanzania and Uganda remain capable of sneaking through with a strong finish, leaving no room for complacency.
Group D: Final-Day Squeeze
Senegal and DR Congo are level on four points, Benin trail by one, and Botswana chase their first point. DR Congo will expect opportunities against Botswana, but Senegal’s clash with Benin carries high stakes: first place, automatic qualification, and even elimination are all possible outcomes depending on results.
Group E: Algeria Await Their Companion
Algeria are safely through, but Burkina Faso and Sudan — level on three points — will battle for the second spot. Fine margins could decide who joins the North Africans in the knockout rounds.
Group F: Champions Under Threat
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon are tied on four points, with Mozambique lurking just behind on three. Gabon are already eliminated, but the final evening promises a scramble for survival and supremacy.
Fixtures to Watch
The final group games span three days, promising twists at every turn:
Monday, 29 December
• 16:00 — Angola vs Egypt
• 16:00 — Zimbabwe vs South Africa
• 19:00 — Zambia vs Morocco
• 19:00 — Comoros vs Mali
Tuesday, 30 December
• 16:00 — Uganda vs Nigeria
• 16:00 — Tanzania vs Tunisia
• 19:00 — Benin vs Senegal
• 19:00 — Botswana vs DR Congo
Wednesday, 31 December
• 16:00 — Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
• 16:00 — Sudan vs Burkina Faso
• 19:00 — Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire
• 19:00 — Mozambique vs Cameroon
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