Hosts Morocco cruise, as South Africa reach Afcon last 16

RABAT – Morocco coach Walid Regragui has urged his team to show the same spirit as they did when they beat Zambia 3-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on Dec 29.

Ayoub El Kaabi’s brace was key for the hosts as they cruised into the last 16, while South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3-2 to also secure a berth in the knockout phase.

African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi made his return from injury for Morocco after almost two months out. Mali also qualified for the next round, while Mohamed Salah was rested for Egypt in their goal-less draw against Angola.

Morocco are the tournament favourites as the host nation and Africa’s top-ranked team, but they were booed off by fans following a 1-1 draw against Mali in their last outing.

Nevertheless, Regragui’s team knew a win against Zambia at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat would guarantee their progress to the next round as Group A winners, and they did so by outclassing their opponents.

Olympiakos striker El Kaabi nodded in an early opener and scored an overhead kick shortly after half-time, with both of his goals set up by the outstanding Azzedine Ounahi.

In between, Real Madrid attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz swept home Morocco’s second goal on 27 minutes at the end of a fine team move, again involving Ounahi.

“Scoring early on changes everything,” said Regragui. “We need to continue like this but not get carried away and keep our feet on the ground.

“The team’s mentality was excellent, and the fans were fully behind us and this is exactly what we need in every match. Winning 3-0 was important to boost confidence in the team. We must continue to work with the same team spirit that was shown today.”

Diaz has found the net in all three of Morocco’s matches so far.

Captain Hakimi came off the bench in the 64th minute for his first appearance since an ankle injury he picked up while in action for Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of November.

Morocco will stay in Rabat for their last-16 tie in the same stadium on Jan 4 against one of the best third-place finishers.

Zambia go out and have now failed to win in 12 Afcon matches across four tournament appearances since lifting the trophy in 2012.

Mali are through in second place after a 0-0 draw with Comoros in Casablanca, a game they ended with 10 men after Amadou Haidara was sent off.

It was a third stalemate in as many matches for the Eagles, who will remain in Morocco’s largest city for a last-16 tie on Jan 3.

In an earlier match, Oswin Appollis converted a late penalty to give South Africa victory against Zimbabwe in Marrakesh as Bafana Bafana qualified for the knockout stage.

Rising star Tshepang Moremi gave South Africa an early lead with a deflected effort.

However, a motivated Zimbabwe deservedly levelled on 19 minutes thanks to the individual brilliance of Tawanda Maswanhise from Scottish Premiership club Motherwell.

South Africa began the second period aggressively and regained the lead on 50 minutes through Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who scored his second goal of the tournament.

Zimbabwe brought it back to 2-2 on 73 minutes when Aubrey Modiba conceded an own goal, but Appollis then netted from an 82nd-minute penalty to give the South Africans the lead for the third time, which they retained.

“Once again, we fell asleep after a good start. We continuously lost possession,” said 73-year-old South Africa coach Hugo Broos.

“Our passing was bad at times and we should have concentrated on retaining possession in the closing minutes, instead of seeking a fourth goal. We have to work on controlling games.”

Egypt, who rested stars like captain Salah with first place already assured, topped Group B with seven points after their draw against Angola in Agadir.

South Africa finished second with six points, followed by Angola on two points and Zimbabwe with one. AFP