The Atlas Lions of Morocco were able to book their place into the last 16 after beating Zambia 1-0. Host nation Ivory Coast was also able to qualify as best loser after a goalless draw across group E.
By Olisa Obi
Hakim Ziyech scored the only goal in the first half as Morocco beat Zambia 1-0 last night at the Africa Cup of Nations finals to finish top in Group F. At the same time, luck also keeps the hosting team, Ivory Coast, in the tournament.
Ziyech was Morocco’s stand-in captain but he left the pitch with an ankle injury at halftime. This was not before a smart close-range finish in the 38th minute which lifted Morocco to seven points ahead of second placed Democratic Republic of Congo, who drew 0-0 with Tanzania.
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Zambia finished third in the group on two points, which was not enough to take one of the four places in the last-16 reserved for the best third-placed finishers.
Instead, the Ivory Coast sneaked in, sparking celebrations in the Laurent Pokou Stadium from locals who had come to support Morocco knowing that if Zambia lost, their team would qualify. They were only able to qualify due to the three points they had when they defeated Guinea Bissau.
Their celebration may be short lived as their reward for qualifying is a meeting in the last-16 with holders Senegal, who were the only side to win all their group games.
The Ivorians will have a new coach in Emerse Fae who takes over from Jean-Louis Gasset, that was also fired (like Chris Hughton of Ghana) last night.
Morocco’s victory was well deserved despite them changing much of their lineup, resting key players, and being without head coach Walid Regragui. The coach was banished to the stands after the Confederation of African Football suspended him hours before kickoff.
He received a four-match ban, two of which were suspended, after being involved in an on-field spat with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba at the end of their match in San Pedro on Sunday, which then led to scuffles between opposing players and staff on the pitch and alleged fighting in the tunnel at the stadium.
