MOROCCO defeated Zambia 1-0 tonight in San Pedro to eliminate Chipolopolo from the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Cote d’Ivoire were confirmed as one of the third-placed teams to advance to the round of 16.
Hakim Ziyech scored the game’s only goal in the 37th minute as the Atlas Lions finished first in Group F with seven points and Zambia third with two.
Democratic Republic of Congo played a 0-0 draw with Tanzania also tonight in Korhogo. DR Congo finished second in the group with four points, while Tanzania ended bottom with just two points.
Zambia would have qualified with a draw but the defeat let in Cote d’Ivoire, whose three points from Group A were eventually enough to make them one of the four best third-placed teams to progress to the knockout rounds.
Earlier today, Tunisia became another big team to crash out after a 0-0 draw with South Africa, who advanced from Group E as runners-up behind Mali.
Namibia also qualified from the group after their 0-0 draw took their points total to four, behind South Africa on goal difference but enough to take them through as one of the third-placed teams.
The AFCON 2023 group phase was completed with tonight’s matches, and the fixtures for the round of 16 were confirmed.
On Saturday, Angola will battle Namibia in Bouake to open the knockout rounds, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria facing Cameroon in Abijdan on the same night.
Sunday will see Equatorial Guinea playing Guinea in Abidjan before Egypt take on Democratic Republic of Congo in San Pedro.
On Monday, it is Cape Verde versus Mauritania in Abidjan first before Cote d’Ivoire battle champions Senegal in Yamoussoukro.
South Africa against Morocco will round off the round of 16 in San Pedro on Tuesday night, after the all-West Africa clash between Mali and Burkina Faso in Korhogo.
ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES (all kick-off times Nigerian)
Saturday
Angola vs Namibia (6pm)
NIGERIA vs Cameroon (9pm)
Sunday
Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea (6pm)
Egypt vs DR Congo (9pm)
Monday
Cape Verde vs Mauritania (6pm)
Senegal vs Cote d’Ivoire (9pm)
Tuesday
Mali vs Burkina Faso (6pm)
Morocco vs South Africa (9pm)
