Zambia needed a draw against the Atlas Lions at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro to advance to the Round of 16, but the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalists were keen to finish top in the group.
Zambia got off to a shaky start barely 10 minutes in as Ismael Saibari was given too much space in the area before seeing his effort superbly blocked by Stoppila Sunzu.
The Chipolopolo Boys struggled in the first half, and it took them nearly 30 minutes to have a shot on goal from Emmanuel Banda’s long-range shot.
However, the Atlas Lions got their well-deserved lead when Hakim Ziyech scored his first goal of the tournament in the 38th minute, pouncing on Lawrence Mulenga’s save to make it 1-0.
Morocco appeared to be sealing off the game in the second half when Amine Adli broke into the penalty box, only to be denied by Mulenga.
The Atlas Lions were almost punished for failing to expand their lead when the dangerous Lameck Banda squirmed past two defenders and curled a shot just wide of the post.
With time running out for Zambia Avram Grant substituted Edward Chiluyfa, Tandi Mwape and Kennedy Musonda for Kings Kangwa, Clatous Chama and Fashion Sakala.
However, elimination from the tournament was slowly catching up with Zambia. They continued to search for an all-important equalizer but could not muster a single attempt on goal over 40 minutes into the second half.
As the game entered the closing minutes, Zambia looked like a side that was going to get a goal, with 19-year-old Miguel Chaiwa putting up a brilliant performance in the midfield, distributing very accurate passes but all in vain.
Emmanuel Banda had Zambia’s best chance of the second half, but his strike was comfortably saved by Yassine Bounou, sealing the Copper Bullets’ fate with a 1-0 defeat.
Morocco won and remained undefeated in Group F with seven points, while Zambia finished third with two points. In the other match, DR Congo drew 0-0 with Tanzania with the Leopards finishing second and advancing to the last 16.
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Following Morocco’s win over Zambia, hosts Ivory Coast, who suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea to finish third in Group A, sneaked into the last 16 as one of the third-placed best finishers.
BELOW ARE THE ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES
Nigeria v Cameroon
(Saturday, January 27, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium)
Angola v Namibia
(Saturday, January 27, Stade de la paix in Bouake)
Equatorial Guinea v Guinea
( Sunday, January 28, Alassane Ouattara Stadium )
Egypt vs D.R Congo
( Sunday, January 28, Laurent Pokou Stadium)
Cape Verde v Mauritania
(Monday, January 29, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium. )
Mali v Burkina Faso
( January 29, Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium)
Senegal vs Côte d’lvoire
( Monday , January, 29, Charles Konan Banny Stadium)
Morocco vs South Africa
(Tuesday, January 30, Laurent Pokou Stadium.)
