Morocco knocks out Zambia in CHAN

NAIROBI: MOROCCO defeated Zambia 3-1 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday effectively ending their campaign in the 2024 CHAN Group A.

This marks Zambia’s third consecutive defeat, having previously lost to DR Congo 2-0 and Angola 2-1.

They sit on the bottom of the group with a match to play against Kenya, just for formalities.

For Morocco, goals from Mohamed Hrimat, Oussama Lamlioui and Sabri Bougrine secured maximum points, temporarily lifting them to second place in the group with six points.

They awaited results of a late match between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The race for the Group A quarter-final spots remains intense. Kenya currently lead the group with seven points and have a game in hand against Zambia on Sunday.

Angola sit in third place with four points, while DR Congo had three points before their late match yesterday.

Yesterday’s match between Morocco and Zambia was highly competitive, with Morocco creating several chances in the first half.

Their first notable opportunity came in the 14th minute following intense pressing on Zambia.

Abdelhak Assal fed Youssef Mehri, whose shot was expertly saved by Zambian goalkeeper Francis Mwansa.

Another close effort arrived in the 20th minute when Khalid Aït Ouarkhane fired a low shot that was again denied by Mwansa.

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Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Mohamed Hrimat scored the opener, firing a shot past Zambian goalkeeper Francis Mwansa.

Zambia entered the second half with renewed energy and found the back of the net in the 65th minute through Happy Nsiku, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul committed against a Moroccan player before Nsiku scored.

Morocco capitalised on this shift in momentum just two minutes later, as Oussama Lamlioui headed in a wellplaced cross to double their lead.

Zambia pulled one back in the 70th minute through Andrew Phiri, raising hopes of a comeback.

However, despite Zambia’s increased pressure to equalise, Morocco sealed their victory in the 90th minute with a goal from Bougrine.

After Lamlioui’s shot was initially saved, Bougrine pounced on the rebound and scored.