AFCON: Hosts Morocco Cruise Into Last 16 as South Africa Also Advance

AFCON fans were treated to a rollercoaster ride on Monday as hosts Morocco wrapped up their group with style. The Atlas Lions breezed past Zambia 3-0 to secure their last 16 spot, while South Africa held their nerve in a 3-2 thriller against Zimbabwe. 

With Achraf Hakimi back from injury and Ayoub El Kaabi in lethal form, whispers about Morocco’s title prospects are growing louder. This article unpacks the action, reflects on the journey so far and looks ahead to what the hosts and South Africa face next.

Hosts Morocco Cruise Into Last 16: El Kaabi Shines

Morocco entered Monday’s tie under pressure. After drawing with Mali, supporters questioned whether the pre-tournament favourites still warranted the hype. Any doubts disappeared in Rabat as Walid Regragui’s side produced a statement performance to clinch their last 16 place.

Ayoub El Kaabi became the first goalscorer under 9 minutes when he was unmarked and headed in a corner by Azzedine Ounahi. The hosts were further advantaged as Ounahi cut through the back line of the Zambians, and Brahim Diaz was on the cut-back. Diaz is currently the top scorer in all three of the group games and is tied with El Kaabi and Riyad Mahrez of Algeria in the scoring table. 

Early in the second half, El Kaabi improvised with a bicycle kick after another Ounahi set-piece, as VAR confirmed his spectacular brace. Regragui could even afford to ease Achraf Hakimi back into action after a while. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back, returning from an ankle injury, entered at 64 minutes for his first appearance of the tournament. 

“Scoring early on changes everything,” the coach said, warning that the team must stay grounded. With seven points from three matches, the hosts will stay in Rabat for Sunday’s knockout fixture against one of the best third-place finishers, while Zambia exits the competition after extending their winless AFCON streak to 12 games.

Morocco Last 16 Hopes and Team Analysis

The way Morocco cruised into the last 16 highlights of the AFCON shows their depth and balance. The vision of Ounahi and his rate of work opened the possibilities to create a hole in the opponents’ defence many times, and the sharpness of Diaz’s finishes is another threat, which is huge compared with El Kaabi’s contribution. The pace and defensive stability of Hakimi in his return are important, as his overrunning runs might be vital in the future of the tournament. 

With this, there is still room for improvement, as supporters booed the team off after the Mali draw, but Monday’s display reminded everyone why the hosts are favourites. To maintain momentum, they need to keep pressing early and avoid complacency, especially against sides that may sit deep in the knockouts.

South Africa Also Advances: Drama in Group B

Although host Morocco held the reins in AFCON, South Africa did not have an easy ride to the last 16 stage, while it ensured a spot in the knockout stage. In a match against the Zimbabwe team in Marrakesh, Bafana Bafana had to work hard to score 3 goals to ensure victory. Teenager Tshepang Moremi provided them with an early advantage as he deflected one in the 7th minute of the game. However, Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Maswanhise produced a dazzling solo equalizer in the 19th minute, dribbling past defenders and firing into the far corner. 

Burnley striker Lyle Foster restored South Africa’s lead with a looping header in the 50th minute, only for an own goal by Aubrey Modiba to level the match again.

The decisive moment came when a VAR review penalized Zimbabwe for handball. Midfielder Oswin Appollis calmly converted the 82nd-minute penalty to make it 3-2. Following the conclusion of the match, coach Hugo Broos admitted his team lost focus after their good start and lamented sloppy passing and poor game management. 

Nevertheless, the win ensured South Africa finished second in Group B with six points behind Egypt, while Zimbabwe, with just one point, and Angola bowed out.

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Group A and B Recap: Mali, Egypt and Upcoming Fixtures

The Morocco last 16 narrative isn’t complete without noting the other qualifiers. Mali booked second place in Group A after a third straight draw, this time 0-0 against Comoros. They ended the game with 10 men after Amadou Haidara was sent off and will face their last-16 tie in Casablanca on Saturday. 

Egypt, on the other hand, has already secured the top spot in Group B of AFCON, while resting key players like Mohamed Salah in their 0-0 draw with Angola. The Pharaohs finished with seven points, followed by South Africa on six, while Angola (two points) and Zimbabwe (one) were eliminated.

With one glance at the future fixtures, it is clear that the tournament is open. Tanzania vs Tunisia and Nigeria vs Uganda are scheduled to be played in Group C on Tuesday, and Senegal, the defending champions, is playing Benin, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is playing Botswana on Wednesday, respectively.