Hakim Zigeh fired Morocco into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations as Group F winners after a 1-0 win over Zambia.
The Chelsea midfielder, currently on loan at Turkey’s Galatasaray, scored the only goal of the game at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro with an emphatic finish seven minutes before the break.
That was enough to earn the three points and top spot with DR Congo in contention for second place after a 0-0 draw with Tanzania, meaning Zambia’s participation is over.
In a tight start to the game, Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi and Zambian forward Patson Daka were on target but could not hit the target and real chances were few and far between despite impressive play from both sides.
Sofiane Boufal twice and Azzedine Ounahi were equally inaccurate as the beaten World Cup semi-finalists looked to impose themselves as the half wore on.
Kennedy Musonda tested Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s concentration with a 30th-minute strike from distance, but it took a crucial touch from defender Frankie Musonda seconds later to prevent Ismael Saibari from reaching skipper Ziyech’s cross in front of goal.
Zambia were lucky not to concede 10 minutes before the break when defender Nayef Aguerd headed home Ziyech’s cross, but the 30-year-old hit the opener inside three minutes after goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga had spilled a low cross .
Mulenga saved Ayoub El Kaabi’s header as Morocco looked to kill the game off, but they headed to the dressing room with just one goal to spare.
Half-time substitute Amine Adli made two saves as Walid Regragui’s men continued their search for a second goal after the break, although Lameck Banda went close to equalizing on 59 minutes.
Zambia doubled their efforts as Morocco tired with Lubambo Musonda shooting too high and Emmanuel Banda making a save with substitute Fashion Sakala causing problems but there was no way back.
(AP)
Elsewhere in the group, the Democratic Republic of Congo set up a last-16 clash with seven-time winners Egypt after being held to a 0-0 draw by Tanzania in their final Group F match on Wednesday.
The Congolese finish second in the pool with three points after a trio of draws and advance alongside group winners Morocco, who face South Africa in the next round.
It was a game of very few chances for the crowd of 12,847 at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, but they could at least celebrate that the Ivory Coast had secured a place in the last 16 as one of the best thirds.
DR Congo are seeking a first continental title since the last of their two previous triumphs in 1974, while Tanzania are still waiting for their first Nations Cup finals win and to finish bottom of their pool with two points. DR Congo will travel to San Pedro to face Egypt on Sunday, having not beaten the Pharaohs since winning 3-2 in the semi-final en route to winning the title 50 years ago.
They will need to sharpen up in attack as it was another tepid display in front of goal against the Tanzanians, who themselves offered next to nothing and failed to manage a shot on target in the 90 minutes.
DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele saw his thunderous first-half shot saved by goalkeeper Aishi Manula, while teammate Meschack Elia pounced when the loose ball fell to him in the box.
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa made an excellent fingertip save from Manual and then fired another shot just over the top from 18 yards as the Congolese pushed for a goal late on, one that never materialized .
Earlier, both Group E matches ended goalless, meaning Mali finish top ahead of South Africa, with Namibia also third and Tunisia bottom.
Round of 16 draw
Nigeria vs Cameroon
Angola vs Namibia
Cape Verde vs Mauritania
Morocco vs South Africa
Mali vs Burkina Faso
Senegal vs Ivory Coast
Egypt vs DR Congo
Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea