Morocco bounced back from their defeat to hosts Kenya with a commanding 3-1 win over Zambia in a crucial CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group A clash at Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.
The result keeps the Atlas Lions firmly in the race for a quarter-final spot, while Zambia’s campaign ends in disappointment after suffering a third straight loss.
Morocco dominated much of the first half but had to wait until stoppage time to break the deadlock.
Mohamed Rabie Hrimat found the net in the 45’+2 minute, capitalising on a rare lapse in the Zambian backline.
Oussama Lamlioui doubled Morocco’s advantage in the 66th minute, latching onto a well-timed pass to slot past the keeper.
Zambia hit back almost immediately, with Andrew Phiri pulling one back in the 70th minute to raise hopes of a late comeback.
Those hopes were crushed deep into injury time when Sabir Bougrine struck in the 90’+5 minute, sealing a vital win for the North Africans.
The victory lifts Morocco to six points, just one behind Group A leaders Kenya, who sit on seven. Zambia remain bottom without a point.
The Atlas Lions will next face the Democratic Republic of Congo at Kasarani on Sunday, while Kenya take on Zambia in the day’s other fixture.
CHAN Ticket Information
Fans can purchase tickets online for the remaining matches through the following platforms:
- Kenya – chan.mookh.com: Ordinary Ksh 200, VIP Ksh 500, VVIP Ksh 1,000
- Uganda – chan.tkt.ug: Ordinary UGX 10,000, VIP UGX 30,000, VVIP UGX 50,000
- Tanzania – chantz.kimtandao.co.tz
Remaining Group Matches (EAT)
- Fri, Aug 15 – Guinea vs Algeria (17:00), Niger vs South Africa (20:00), Mandela National Stadium, Kampala
- Sat, Aug 16 – Burkina Faso vs Madagascar (20:00), CAR vs Tanzania (20:00), Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam
- Sun, Aug 17 – DRC vs Morocco (15:00), Kenya vs Zambia (15:00), Kasarani, Nairobi
- Mon, Aug 18 – Algeria vs Niger (20:00), South Africa vs Uganda (20:00), Kampala
- Tue, Aug 19 – Nigeria vs Congo (20:00), Sudan vs Senegal (20:00), Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar