Morocco Regain Momentum with Hakimi’s Timely Return

The boos that followed Morocco off the pitch after their disappointing draw against Mali felt heavy with frustration. Expectations were high, nerves were visible, and the supporters made their displeasure known. Yet football, ever dramatic, offered Morocco a swift chance at redemption. On a vibrant night in Rabat, with captain Achraf Hakimi back from injury, the Atlas Lions rediscovered their identity—and their supporters responded with thunderous acclaim rather than jeers.

On Monday evening, the tournament hosts produced a commanding display to defeat Zambia 3–0, sealing top spot in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations and booking a confident passage into the last sixteen. The scoreline reflected Morocco’s dominance, but the performance itself carried greater significance: control, intensity, and belief had returned.

By the time Hakimi was introduced as a substitute in the 64th minute, the contest had already been decided. His appearance was nonetheless greeted with rapturous applause, symbolising relief and renewed optimism among the home crowd. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back, sidelined by injury earlier in the tournament, brought leadership and assurance even in his brief cameo—an encouraging sign as the competition moves into its decisive phase.

The evening belonged, however, to Morocco’s attacking spearheads. Ayoub El Kaabi continued his prolific form with a superb brace, showcasing both his movement inside the box and his clinical finishing. Between his two strikes, Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz added a goal of his own, capping another impressive performance. Díaz has now found the net in all three group matches, underlining his growing influence in the Moroccan side. El Kaabi, too, boasts three goals from three matches, forming a partnership that promises to trouble any defence in the knockout rounds.

Morocco’s midfield dictated the tempo throughout, pressing Zambia relentlessly and allowing little room for resistance. The defensive line, meanwhile, remained compact and disciplined, ensuring the hosts cruised to a clean sheet—an important psychological boost after earlier inconsistencies.

From Group A, Mali progress alongside Morocco into the last sixteen. Elsewhere in the tournament, South Africa secured their place from Group B as the second-placed team after edging Zimbabwe 3–2 in a thrilling encounter. Group champions Egypt, already assured of qualification, rested talisman Mohamed Salah and were held to a goalless draw by Angola—a pragmatic decision that preserved energy for the knockout stage.

With Hakimi back fit, their forwards in scintillating form, and confidence restored, Morocco now look every inch the contenders many expected them to be. The boos of the past feel distant; belief has returned, and with it, the roar of a nation dreaming once more.

Morocco vs Zambia: Match Summary :

Qualified Teams (Selected Groups)

Morocco march into the knockout stage revitalised, united, and once again playing football worthy of their lofty ambitions.