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Ayoub El Kaabi joined Morocco team-mate Brahim Diaz and Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez with three goals at the finals after netting twice against Zambia Hosts Morocco cruised to victory over Zambia to secure top spot in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) as they welcomed back captain Achraf Hakimi from injury. The Atlas Lions, who only had a two-point cushion over second-placed Mali after taking four points from their first two games, started with intent in Rabat and Ayoub El Kaabi headed them in front in the ninth minute from a short corner routine. Brahim Diaz made it 2-0 midway through the half, slotting in Abde Ezzalzouli's low cross from the centre of the box for his third goal of the finals. El Kaabi netted a brilliant bicycle kick five minutes into the second half to make it 3-0, with the goal ruled onside after a check by the video assistant referee (VAR). Morocco, chasing their first Afcon title since 1976, had the luxury of introducing influential Paris St-Germain right-back Hakimi just after the hour mark following nearly two months on the sidelines with an ankle problem. Hakimi almost got in on the act with nine minutes remaining but had a low effort palmed away by Chipolopolo goalkeeper Willard Mwanza. Walid Regragui's side will remain in the capital to face a third-placed finisher from Group C, D or E on Sunday, 4 January (16: 00 GMT). Results in Group A and Group B on Monday mean Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are all now guaranteed passage through to the last 16 before their respective final fixtures. Zambia, meanwhile, exit the tournament and are now 13 games without a win at the Afcon finals - a run stretching all the way back to their semi-final victory over Ghana before their fairytale triumph in Gabon in 2012. Afcon to be held every four years from 2028 'I can kill you right now' - Sudan's footballers on civil war Achraf Hakimi's return from the bench was greeted with a loud cheer by the 62, 532 crowd in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium Morocco were effectively through to the knockout stage after following up their opening 2-0 win over Comoros with a 1-1 draw with Mali on Friday but Regragui has come under fire from an expectant fanbase for the nature of their performances – and securing top spot could prove crucial if they are to become Afcon champions for just the second time. All went to plan from the off and the return of reigning African Footballer of the Year Hakimi will give an extra boost to the Atlas Lions, who extended their unbeaten run to 23 games stretching back to their last-16 exit at the 2023 finals. El Kaabi and Ezzalzouli had both gone close before the striker held off Zambia centre-back Kabaso Chonga inside the six-yard box and converted Azzedine Ounahi's chipped cross. With Real Madrid playmaker Diaz again a driving force, the second goal was only a matter of time away, and it arrived after Ounahi - the architect of many of Morocco's best moments - released Ezzalzouli down the left. Diaz came close to adding another before the break, stinging the palms of Mwanza, but El Kaabi added the third with his second overhead kick of the tournament. Zambia had come into the contest on the back of draws against Mali and Comoros, and had hope of making the last 16 with at least a point. But, with captain Fashion Sakala absent from the matchday squad altogether with illness, the Chipolopolo failed to force Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal into a single save. Zambia coach Moses Sichone, who served as assistant to Avram Grant before the former Chelsea boss was dismissed in October, will be left to reflect on a tournament in which his side only scored once. The 2012 champions had finished ahead of holders Ivory Coast in their qualifying group, but their form has deserted them this calendar year with their only win in 2025 coming against Tanzania in 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying in October. Last Updated 29th December 2025 at 21: 10 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Moses Sichone Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Walid Regragui Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Moses Sichone Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Walid Regragui Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 CAF Africa Cup of Nations All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Zambia 0, Morocco 3. Second Half ends, Zambia 0, Morocco 3. Attempt missed. Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco) left footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the right following a fast break. Attempt blocked. Wilson Chisala (Zambia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lubambo Musonda with a headed pass. Attempt missed. Lameck Banda (Zambia) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Given Kalusa. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco). Joseph Sabobo (Zambia) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Ilias Akhomach (Morocco). Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Given Kalusa (Zambia) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Lameck Banda. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Offside, Morocco. Ilias Akhomach is caught offside. Corner, Zambia. Conceded by Nayef Aguerd. Ilias Akhomach (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia). David Hamansenya (Zambia) is shown the yellow card. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Eliya Mandanji (Zambia). Foul by Neil El Aynaoui (Morocco). Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.