AFCON: Morocco dismantle and eliminate Zambia, lucky Mali advance despite being winless

As expected, Morocco finished the opening stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the top of their Group A. Walid Regragui's men didn't want to risk anything after a 1-1 draw against Mali in the previous round and demolished Zambia 3-0, at the same time securing the leading position, eliminating the Copper Bullets, and giving a lifeline to Angola, whose chances to advance as one of the best third-placed teams are now much more realistic.

The Atlas Lions' dominance started from the beginning of the match, as Brahim Diaz's goal and Ayoub El Kaabi's brace sealed the deal for the hosts. Still, the second goal of the Olympiacos striker deserved to be highlighted, as the Moroccan managed to net another bicycle-kick banger after doing it in the opening AFCON clash against Comoros!

On the other hand, in Casablanca, Mali and Comoros shared spoils in a goalless draw and one of the dullest games at the 2025 AFCON. Still, that outcome allowed the Eagles to progress from the group stage, finishing in second spot, even though they hadn't won any of the three matches they played, recording three draws.

On the other hand, Comoros could have avoided the elimination with a win, but they hardly threatened the much stronger rival. In the last seven minutes, they even had a man up on the pitch after Amadou Haidara was sent off, but it didn't help them much.

After an unpleasant surprise they experienced three days ago when they drew 1-1 against Mali, the Atlas Lions wanted to avoid any risks. They established dominance on the pitch from the first referee's whistle against the uninspired Zambia, and it brought them many benefits.

Brahim Diaz was motivated, and on his La Liga level, and when that happens, the rivals are in for a disaster.

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The Real Madrid forward wasted the first chance in the match in the tenth minute, but his teammate Ayoub El Kaabi shortly corrected his mistake, putting Morocco in front. After a corner-kick combination, Diaz found Azzedine Ounahi, who crossed the ball inside, where the Olympiacos striker scored with a header, although surrounded by three Copper Bullets' players.

The demolition of Zambia continued even after the opener, as Moses Sichone's men barely crossed the halfway line. It was only a matter of time before the hosts doubled their lead, and it occurred in the 27th minute, when Abde Ezzalzouli crossed the ball in the box following his fantastic solo effort, and Diaz, this time, took no prisoners, making it 2-0.

The second period started with the maiden chance for Zambia, which Patson Daka wasted, shooting wide off the post, but the most glorious moment of the game happened a little later, in the 53rd minute, when El Kaabi made it 3-0, completed a brace, scored his third goal in the tournament, and did it all with another bicycle-kick banger, just like he did against Comoros in the opening AFCON clash!

The Atlas Lions boss, Walid Regragui, exploited the comfortable lead to give a chance to Achraf Hakimi, who returned to the pitch after a severe ankle injury, clocking about a half an hour. The Paris Saint-Germain defender could have even found the net in the 81st minute, but Zambia goalie Willard Mwanza denied him with a superb save.

By the end of the game, the thrilled crowd at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah saw several subs, a more offence-oriented Copper Bullets, and the relaxed Moroccans, who were looking forward to the last referee's whistle, so that the celebration could begin.

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Unlike the interesting clash in Rabat, the duel in Casablanca between Comoros and Mali was anything but exciting.

The Eagles had control of the possession, but rarely knew what to do with the ball. Apart from Kamory Doumbia's somewhat dangerous strike, and Dorgeles Nene and Mohamed Camara's long-range efforts - which the Comoros custodian Yannick Pandor all stopped - there were not many notable moments. At the same time, the Coelacanths finished the first half with only one shot (off target).

Still, the turn of events at the match between Morocco and Zambia worked perfectly in Mali's favour, as they were sitting in the second place at the break.

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Minutes into the second half, Doumbia found himself in another excellent opportunity, but fired it wide this time. And although that early chance hinted at a higher pace, the game shortly returned to its mild and slow rhythm.

Comoros threatened for the first time in the 65th minute, when the super-experienced El Fardou Ben aimed for the top-right corner, but the Eagles' keeper Djigui Diarra deflected the ball over the bar.

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Even though they were in need of a win to avoid early elimination from the tournament, Comoros waited for the rivals' mistake, and it came in the 88th minute, when the Malian Amadou Haidara was sent off just 18 minutes after coming off the bench.

Still, the African minnows failed to exploit the advantage they had, allowing Mali to advance as the second-placed Group A team behind Morocco, although the Eagles were winless, recording three draws.

AFCON 2025 - GROUP STAGE

3rd round

Monday

Angola - Egypt 0-0

Zimbabwe - South Africa 2-3 (1-1)

/Maswanhise 19, Modiba 73 og - Moremi 7, Foster 50, Appollis 82 pen/

Comoros - Mali 0-0

Zambia - Morocco 0-3 (0-2)

/El Kaabi 9, 50, Diaz 27/

Tuesday

19.00: (8.00) Tanzania (4.00) Tunisia (1.47)

19.00: (3.45) Uganda (3.15) Nigeria (2.25)

22.00: (11.0) Benin (5.20) Senegal (1.30)

22.00: (12.0) Botswana (5.60) DR Congo (1.27)

Wednesday

19.00: (6.00) Equatorial Guinea (3.60) Algeria (1.65)

19.00: (4.60) Sudan (3.35) Burkina Faso (1.87)

22.00: (6.00) Gabon (3.60) Ivory Coast (1.65)

22.00: (7.00) Mozambique (4.50) Cameroon (1.45)

***odds are subject to change***