Host nation Morocco secured top spot in Group A at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Zambia in Rabat. Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice, including a spectacular bicycle kick, while Brahim Diaz added a second-half goal. The result, combined with Mali's 0-0 draw against Comoros, advances both Morocco and Mali to the knockout stage.
Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists and tournament hosts, dominated Zambia from the outset in their final Group A match on December 29, 2025. The Atlas Lions broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when El Kaabi headed in a lofted pass from Azzedine Ounahi. They continued to press, and Brahim Diaz made it 2-0 by turning in a pull-back from Abde Ezzalzouli later in the first half.
Five minutes into the second half, El Kaabi doubled his tally with a stunning bicycle kick, ensuring Morocco's progression to the last 16 as group winners. Zambia, the 2012 AFCON champions, offered little resistance and could not mount a comeback, finishing their campaign without a win after draws against Mali (1-1) and Comoros (0-0), and a loss to Morocco's earlier opponents.
In the simultaneous match in Casablanca, Mali held Comoros to a goalless draw despite a late red card to Amadou Haidara. This result saw Mali advance as runners-up behind Morocco. Prior Group A results included Morocco's 2-0 win over Comoros and 1-1 draw with Mali, while Zambia had managed only points from their two draws.
Morocco's victory caps a strong group stage, setting them up for a round-of-16 clash as one of the tournament favorites. The knockout phase begins on January 3, 2026.
