At a Glance
- Morocco secures last-16 spot with a 3-0 win over Zambia.
- South Africa advances after a 3-2 victory against Zimbabwe.
- Egypt’s Mohamed Salah rested as his team already qualified.
- Why it matters: Fans in Rabat will watch home side play all knockout matches, while teams scramble to secure third-place spots.
The Africa Cup of Nations has moved into the knockout phase, with host Morocco and South Africa earning spots in the last 16. Morocco’s decisive 3-0 triumph over Zambia cemented their top position in Group A, while SA’s 3-2 win over Zimbabwe kept them in second place in Group B. The rest of the tournament now hinges on group standings and the fate of the best third-place teams.
Morocco Secures Last-16 Spot
In Rabat, Morocco delivered a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Zambia, ensuring they finish first in Group A. The win guarantees the hosts will play all knockout games in the 70,000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, including the final on Jan. 18. Fans celebrated with horns, flag-waving, and vuvuzelas after the match.
- Morocco tops Group A with a 3-0 win.
- All knockout matches, including the final, will be held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
- Ayoub El Kaabi scored with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 50th minute.
An offside flag initially halted the goal, but a VAR check confirmed El Kaabi was onside, sparking jubilant cheers in the stadium. Achraf Hakimi also appeared on the field for the first time since recovering from an ankle injury, substituting in the 64th minute.
Ayoub El Kaabi said:
> “Now a new competition begins, where there is no room for error.”
The African Footballer of the Year award is set to commence on Sunday, with Morocco slated to face a third-place finisher from Groups C, D, or E in the first round of the last 16.
South Africa Advances
South Africa secured a 3-2 win over Zimbabwe thanks to a decisive strike from Oswin Appollis. The victory kept the Bafana Bafana in second place in Group B, behind Egypt, who had already qualified after a 0-0 draw with Angola.
- Oswin Appollis scored the winning goal.
- Egypt coach Hossam Hassan rested key players, including Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Trézéguet.
- South Africa will face a third-place finisher from Groups A, C, or D on Jan. 5 in Agadir.
Hugo Broos said:
> “We repeated the same mistakes as in previous games – poor passing and bad positioning.”
South Africa now waits for Group F outcomes, as they will play the second-place finisher from that group-Ivory Coast, Cameroon, or Mozambique-on Sunday.
Group Standings and Third-Place Contenders
Group A finished with Morocco first, Comoros third with two points, and Zambia last. Group B saw South Africa second, Egypt first, and Angola third. The tournament rules allow the four best third-place teams, along with the top two from each group, to progress.
| Group | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Morocco | Comoros | Zambia | |
| B | Egypt | South Africa | Angola |
In addition, Senegal, Congo, and Benin have secured places before their final matches, while Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Mozambique have also advanced from Group F. Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Algeria are through after defeating Equatorial Guinea. Angola still has a chance to qualify with two points if Nigeria beats Uganda and Tunisia defeats Tanzania.
Mali’s Draw and Future Match
Mali finished second in Group A with a 0-0 draw against Comoros, earning three draws in the group. Midfielder Amadou Haidara was sent off late in the match.
Tom Sainfiet said:
> “If we keep playing like this, we won’t stay long in the tournament.”
Mali will face the second-place finisher from Group D in Casablanca on Saturday, possibly Congo.
Key Takeaways
- Morocco tops Group A and will host all knockout games in Rabat.
- South Africa secures last-16 spot after a win over Zimbabwe.
- The tournament allows the four best third-place teams to progress, creating a complex qualification picture.
With the knockout stage underway, the focus shifts to the remaining group games and the fate of the best third-place teams. Fans in Rabat and Marrakech are already gearing up for the next wave of African football drama.
