Table of Contents
- The Morocco vs Zambia clash played on Thursday evening at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi ended with the Atlas Lions recording a 3-1 win
- Morocco are second on Group A with six points in three matches and will face DR Congo, who also have six points after three matches, in their final fixture of the group
The Morocco vs Zambia clash played on Thursday evening at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi ended with the Atlas Lions recording a 3-1 win.
Morocco, who suffered a shock loss to Harambee Stars last Sunday, are back to winning ways in the ongoing 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championships (CHAN). The Northern African nation now has hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals of CHAN 2024 as the race for the top spot of Group A intensifies.
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Morocco came to match against Zambia prepared and the South African country had to clear the ball off their goal line twice within the first half. The Atlas Lions eventually found the goal they were looking for before the break when Mohamed Rabie Hrimat swept home from close range.
Osama Lamliaoui increased Morocco’s lead in the second half before Chongo Kabas pulled one back for Zambia. Despite gaining momentum, Zambia couldn’t find the equalizer and things got worse for them in stoppage time when substitute Sabir Bourgine scored Morocco’s third.
Morocco beat Zambia 3-1 in their Group A fixture played last evening at Nyayo National Stadium. Photo/ Barlaman Today.
Morocco head coach Tarik Sektioui appreciated his players’ professionalism and mental health after the emphatic 3-1 win over Zambia.
“We have an admirable squad that I salute for their professionalism and their mental strength. We ‘called on them for help’ for this CHAN and they responded despite the lack of preparation and the complicated situation. Despite everything, their level is good and we collected 6 points.” Sektioui is quoted by CAFOnline.com.
The Atlas Lions are second on Group A with six points in three matches. They’ll face DR Congo, who also have six points after three matches, in their final fixture of the group. The winner of the fixture will most likely advance to the knockouts but Kenya’s tie against Zambia will also have an impact on the standings.
As for Zambia, their journey at CHAN is mathematically over and they’ll play their final match of the competition on Sunday when they take on hosts Kenya.
Morocco vs Zambia
After suffering a shock 1-0 loss against 10-man Harambee Stars, the North African giants came to the Morocco vs Zambia fixture knowing only a win would keep their hopes of advancing to the knockouts alive. They started with urgency and pressed high against Zambia, a team that had lost all its previous two games.
Khalid Aït Ouarkhane, Abdelhak Assal, and Youssef Mehri all came close to scoring early on in this game. The big moment eventually arrived in first-half stoppage time when Mehri’s corner found Hrimat unmarked in a dangerous position. The 31-year-old made no mistake as he unleashed a powerful strike that found the back of the net.
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The Atlas Lions picked up from where they had left in the second half, forcing Zambia goalkeeper Francis Mwansa into multiple saves. However, it was Zambia who thought they had scored first in the second half when Happy Nsiku’s effort crossed the line. But a VAR review showed a foul had been committed in the build-up to the goal.
Morocco players celebrating after their 3-1 win over Zambia. The Atlas Lions are now second in Group A. Photo/ SuperSport.
Barely one minute after Zambia’s goal was ruled out, Morocco increased their lead to 2-0, thanks to Lamlaoui whose header found the bottom corner. Phiri pulled one back for Zambia in the 70th minute but Morocco dominated possession hence making it difficult for the Chipolopolo to find the leveller.
Bougrine, who was introduced in the 88th minute, then ensured Morocco secured all three points in a comfortable manner with his goal in stoppage time.
