Morocco cruise as Mali grind through to AFCON knockouts
Atlas Lions deliver statement win to top Group A
Morocco responded emphatically to the pressure of a decisive final group match, producing a commanding 3–0 victory over Zambia to finish top of Group A at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
The hosts set the tone early, playing with urgency and clarity from the opening exchanges. Their dominance was rewarded inside nine minutes when Ayoub El Kaabi opened the scoring, rising unchallenged at the far post to head home after a clever short-corner routine involving Azzedine Ounahi.
Morocco doubled their advantage in the 27th minute, once again through Ounahi’s creative influence. His perfectly weighted pass released Abde Ezzalzouli down the left, and although El Kaabi missed the low cross, Brahim Diaz arrived to calmly guide a left-footed finish past the goalkeeper.
Any hopes of a Zambian response were extinguished shortly after the break. El Kaabi struck again in spectacular fashion, improvising brilliantly to execute an acrobatic bicycle kick from close range. Initially ruled out for offside, VAR intervened to confirm the goal and seal both his brace and Morocco’s dominant victory.
The result sees Walid Regragui’s side finish the group stage with seven points, securing top spot and momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
Mali edge through as Comoros bow out
Mali booked their place in the knockout stages despite being held to a tense 0–0 draw by Comoros in their final Group A match in Casablanca.
In a contest defined more by nerves than fluid attacking play, Mali did just enough to secure the point they needed to finish second in the group. Comoros, meanwhile, showed spirit and intent, particularly on the counterattack, and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Meziani Maoulida found space behind the defence but hesitated at the crucial moment.
Mali’s best opportunity arrived just before half-time, when Lassine Sinayoko unleashed a powerful effort that was superbly saved to keep the scores level.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mali controlling territory but struggling to find a decisive final pass. Late drama arrived in the 88th minute when Amadou Haidara was shown a straight red card, reducing Mali to ten men. Comoros pushed forward in search of a late winner, but Mali held firm to see out the draw.
The result confirmed Morocco as group winners, with Mali progressing alongside them after finishing second with three points from three draws, while Comoros exited the tournament despite a determined display.
