Morocco progress as Salah is rested for Egypt – AFCON round-up | OneFootball

Morocco booked their place in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 3-0 win over Zambia.

Here’s what happened yesterday at the tournament…

Morocco 3-0 Zambia

Striker Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice whilst Brahim Diaz also netted to make it a comfortable 3-0 win for Walid Regragui’s side.

The hosts have won two and drawn one of their three group games. They have only conceded once and look to be one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

Diaz has scored a goal in each game so far, and El Kaabi also has three goals in three games.

Morocco also welcomed back captain Achraf Hakimi from injury, in a huge boost to their hopes of winning the trophy.

Comoros 0-0 Mali

In a game that Comoros had to win in order to achieve qualification, they could only manage a draw. The point was enough for Mali and means they finish second in Group A after Morocco.

They have been far from impressive though, and booked their place in the next round with three draws. They have only scored twice in three games and must dramatically improve in the knockout stages of this competition if they want to progress.

Zimbabwe 2-3 South Africa

Zimbabwe and South Africa played out a thriller in Group B. The game went back and forth and was level on two occasions, before Oswin Appollis converted a penalty in the 82nd minute to give South Africa the win that confirmed their qualification.

They have picked up six points from their three games and Hugo Broos will be quietly confident of their chances of causing an upset in Morocco.

Zimbabwe have finished bottom of the group and only picked up one point from their three games.

Angola 0-0 Egypt

Angola and Egypt were involved in a goalless draw, with Mohamed Salah remaining an unused substitute in the game.

Egypt had already confirmed qualification to the knockouts after beating South Africa in their second game, so manager Hossam Hassan decided to rest his star man, along with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.

He will be hoping that a fresh Salah could prove decisive in the knockout stages.