Zambia 0-1 Morocco
Morocco secured top spot in Group F at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Zambia on Wednesday evening.
Four changes were presented by the Atlas Lions, with Romain Saiss, Mohamed Chibi, Selim Amallah and Youssef En-Nesyri dropped for Ismael Saibari, Yunis Abdelhamid, Ayoub El Kaabi and Yahia Attiat Allah.
The first danger came from Chipolopolo through a looping attempt from a ball in space by Patson Daka, but some hesitancy allowed the opportunity to slip away.
Morocco got a quick reply to that a little in the opening quarter where smart initiative from Sofiane Boufal led to a loose ball which Amed Ounahi attacked to see his first-time shot go wide.
However, the Atlas Lions didn’t stop coming forward from all departments and got the reward eight minutes to halftime when Hakim Ziyech latched onto a snapped clearance in the box to riffle in a first-time shot.
Zambia were revived following halftime and provided a few threats through a half-volley from a decent position by Bwalya before the same man curled a smart ball wide later on.
The Atlas Lions picked up the win in the end and will meet South Africa in the knockout stages next Tuesday.
Tanzania 0-0 Democratic Republic Congo
Democratic Republic Congo qualified for the last 16 from Group F following a goalless draw with Tanzania.
Gedeon Kalulu, Henock Baka, Arthur Masuaku Charles Pickel and Samuel Moutoussamy, Gael Katuka and Cedcric Bakambu were dropped from the Leopards team that held Morocco, with Simon Msuva the go-to-guy for the Taifa Stars.
The match was starved of goal-mouth activity in the first half despite a few bright moments through long-range shots and a variation of set-plays which neither capitalised.
Nothing in so far as chances created changed following the break but matters remained tight in the resumption though Yoane Wissa had a big chance late on for the Congolese but was repelled.
The Brentford man was at it again a couple of minutes later, but once more failed to succeed as he snapped high and wide of the actual targe.
With no goals, the spoils were shared leaving the Leopards to advance from the group in second spot alongside Morocco in first position.
Last16 Fixtures:
Angola v Namibia
Nigeria v Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea v Guinea
Egypt v Democratic Republic of Congo
Cape Verde v Mauritania
Senegal v Ivory Coast
Mali v Burkina Faso
Morocco v South Africa
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