Hosts Morocco cruise as South Africa reach Cup of Nations last 16
On Monday, Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice to lead Morocco to a 3-0 victory against Zambia, allowing the Africa Cup of Nations hosts to advance comfortably to the last 16. Meanwhile, South Africa defeated Zimbabwe 3-2, earning their place in the knockout rounds too.
Achraf Hakimi, the African player of the year, returned from nearly two months sidelined by injury for Morocco. Mali progressed to the next stage, and Egypt drew 0-0 with Angola while resting Mohamed Salah.
As the host nation and Africa's highest-ranked side, Morocco enter as favourites, yet fans booed them after their previous 1-1 stalemate with Mali.
Still, under Walid Regragui, the team understood that beating Zambia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat would ensure top spot in Group A and advancement. They dominated the match.
El Kaabi from Olympiakos headed in the first goal early on and added an acrobatic overhead kick just after the break, both assisted by the impressive Azzedine Ounahi.
Meanwhile, Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid slotted in the second goal for Morocco in the 27th minute following a superb team play, once more featuring Ounahi.
Diaz has scored in each of Morocco's three matches thus far, and both he and El Kaabi share the lead in the tournament scoring with three goals each, alongside Algeria's captain Riyad Mahrez.
Skipper Hakimi substituted in the 64th minute, marking his return after an ankle injury picked up while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in early November.
Morocco remain in Rabat to face a top third-placed team in the last 16 at the same venue on Sunday.
"Scoring early on changes everything," said Regragui. "We need to continue like this but not get carried away and keep our feet on the ground."
Zambia are eliminated and have not won any of their 12 AFCON games in four tournaments since their 2012 triumph.
Mali advanced as runners-up in their group following a goalless draw versus Comoros in Casablanca, finishing the match with ten players after Amadou Haidara's red card.
This marked the third draw in three games for the Eagles, who will play their last-16 match in Morocco's biggest city on Saturday.
Salah rested by Egypt
Earlier in Marrakesh, Oswin Appollis scored from a late penalty to secure South Africa's win over Zimbabwe, qualifying Bafana Bafana for the knockouts.
Young talent Tshepang Moremi put South Africa ahead early with a shot that took a deflection.
Yet, trailing spurred Zimbabwe on, and they equalised justly in the 19th minute through Tawanda Maswanhise's solo effort from Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
Maswanhise picked up the ball in the South African half, beat two defenders, and shot past keeper Ronwen Williams into the far corner.
South Africa started the second half strongly and retook the lead in the 50th minute via Burnley forward Lyle Foster, his second goal in the competition.
Zimbabwe tied it at 2-2 in the 73rd minute with an own goal by Aubrey Modiba, but Appollis converted an 82nd-minute spot-kick to put Bafana ahead once more, holding on for the win.
"Once again we fell asleep after a good start. We continuously lost possession," said 73-year-old South Africa coach Hugo Broos.
"Our passing was bad at times and we should have concentrated on retaining possession in the closing minutes instead of seeking a fourth goal. We have to work on controlling games."
With top spot secured, Egypt rested key players including captain Salah and led Group B with seven points from their Agadir draw against Angola. South Africa ended with six, Angola two, and Zimbabwe one.
Group stage action wraps up on Tuesday, featuring Tanzania versus Tunisia and Nigeria against Uganda in Group C, plus Senegal vs Benin and DR Congo against Botswana in Group D.