Ayoub El Kaabi double secures top spot for Morocco in AFCON group stage
Ayoub El Kaabi found the net on two occasions to guide the host nation Morocco to a convincing 3-0 win over Zambia during the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, clinching advancement to the knockout rounds at the summit of their section.
The forward from Olympiakos struck once before the interval and again afterwards witnessed by 62532 spectators in Rabat, the capital, with Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid adding the third strike, marking his third successive goal in the competition.
Morocco conclude the opening phase with a pair of victories and one stalemate, advancing from Group A in pole position on seven points. Mali took runner-up spot following their third consecutive deadlock, a goalless affair versus Comoros which they completed a player short, as Zambia exit the fray.
Walid Regragui's squad from Morocco thus gains the benefit of remaining in Rabat for the round of 16 encounter against a top third place qualifier on Sunday, January 4.
"I believe the real challenge starts now," remarked Regragui.
"With four teams in third position qualifying, the initial stage hardly feels like mere preparation, yet for us it boils down to ensuring we enter the subsequent round in optimal condition.
"We aim to progress as deeply as we can. That remains the aspiration shared by everyone."
The host team enjoyed a straightforward outing, during which skipper Achraf Hakimi, recognised as the African footballer of the year, entered as a replacement in the second period for his debut since an ankle knock sustained with Paris Saint Germain back in early November.
The Atlas Lions had their impressive streak of 19 consecutive triumphs halted by a 1-1 tie against Mali in their prior fixture, yet they rebounded emphatically by dominating the Zambian challenge.
Morocco holds the top spot among African teams per FIFA standings and ranks 80 positions higher than Zambia at 91st. Their unbeaten sequence featured triumphs both at home and abroad versus the Copper Bullets in World Cup preliminaries.
Hakimi return
The opponents also faced the daunting prospect of securing a victory in their final group match to guarantee progression to the elimination rounds, a formidable hurdle for a nation lacking any AFCON success since their 2012 title win.
Morocco took the lead after merely nine minutes when a corner from the right flank was taken short to Azzedine Ounahi, who lofted a precise first touch pass to the far post, allowing El Kaabi to head home before dashing off with hands over his face in joy.
A brilliant team effort produced the second just shy of the half hour, as Ounahi's exquisite delivery behind the Zambian backline freed Abde Ezzalzouli. His cut back from the left evaded El Kaabi but Diaz converted coolly for his third tally across three outings.
The score reached 3-0 shortly past the break when El Kaabi beat the Zambian trap and connected with yet another fine pass from the outstanding Ounahi via an acrobatic volley.
The effort was first disallowed for offside prior to confirmation following VAR review, placing El Kaabi alongside Diaz and Algeria's Riyad Mahrez with three goals leading the AFCON marksmen list.
A roar of approval then erupted as Hakimi substituted in the 64th minute replacing Noussair Mazraoui for his tournament bow, narrowly denied a goal himself by a solid stop from Willard Mwanza towards the end.