Morocco underlined their title credentials with a commanding 3–0 victory over Zambia, sealing top spot in Group A at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, while Mali advanced after a tense goalless draw with Comoros on Monday night.
Playing with authority and purpose from the first whistle, the Atlas Lions wasted little time asserting control. Their breakthrough arrived in the ninth minute through Ayoub El Kaabi, who headed home unchallenged after a cleverly worked short corner, with Azzedine Ounahi supplying a perfectly measured delivery to the back post.
Morocco doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark, and once again Ounahi was at the heart of the move.
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The midfielder slipped an incisive pass to Abde Ezzalzouli down the left flank, whose low cross evaded the first contact but fell kindly to Brahim Diaz. The winger remained composed, steering a precise left-footed effort beyond Toaster Nsabata Mwanza to make it 2–0.
Any faint hope of a Zambian revival faded early in the second half. Continuing to play with confidence and flair, Morocco added their third in the 53rd minute when El Kaabi produced a stunning acrobatic bicycle kick from another rehearsed set-piece routine. Though initially ruled offside, VAR overturned the decision to confirm the forward’s brace and Morocco’s emphatic triumph.
The result sees Walid Regragui’s men finish the group stage with seven points, comfortably claiming first place ahead of Mali, who progressed after holding Comoros to a tense 0–0 draw in Casablanca.
At the Mohammed V Stadium, Mali approached the decisive fixture with composure, prioritising control and defensive assurance. Comoros threatened most notably on the counter, with Meziani Maoulida finding space behind the Malian backline but hesitating at the critical moment. Mali’s best first-half opportunity saw Lassine Sinayoko force an impressive save from the Comorian goalkeeper.
The second half mirrored the first—Mali enjoying a territorial advantage but lacking a clinical edge. Late tension emerged in the 88th minute when Amadou Haidara received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge, leaving Mali to defend the final minutes with ten men. Comoros pressed desperately, but Mali held firm to secure the point they needed.
The final standings confirmed Morocco as Group A winners, with Mali progressing in second despite drawing all three matches. Comoros finished third with two points and narrowly missed out on qualification as one of the best third-placed sides.