Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2025 hosts Morocco cruised to victory over Zambia to secure top spot in Group A as they welcomed back captain Achraf Hakimi from injury.
The Atlas Lions, who only had a two-point cushion over second-placed Mali after taking four points from their first two games, started with intent in Rabat and Ayoub El Kaabi headed them in front in the ninth minute from a short corner routine.
Brahim Diaz made it 2-0 midway through the half, slotting in Abde Ezzalzouli’s low cross from the centre of the box for his third goals at the finals.
El Kaabi netted a brilliant bicycle kick five minutes into the second half to make it 3-0, with the goal ruled onside after a check by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Morocco, chasing their first Afcon title since 1976, had the luxury of introducing influential Paris St-Germain right-back Hakimi just after the hour mark following nearly two months on the sidelines with an ankle problem.
Hakimi almost got in on the act with nine minutes remaining but had a low effort palmed away by Chipolopolo goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.
Walid Regragui’s side will remain in the capital to face a third-placed finisher from Group C, D or E on Sunday, 4 January (16:00 GMT).
Results in Group A and Group B on Monday mean Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are all now guaranteed passage through to the last 16 ahead of their respective final fixtures.
Zambia, meanwhile, exit the tournament and are now 13 games without a win at the Afcon finals – a run stretching all the way back to their semi-final victory over Ghana before their fairytale triumph in Gabon in 2012.
