Zambia 0-1 Morocco: Hakim Ziyech goal sends Atlas Lions through as top team in Group F as Zambia AFCON dream ends

Morocco secured top spot in Group F and knocked Zambia out of the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win in San Pedro, a result that means hosts Ivory Coast squeezed into the last 16.

The Atlas Lions dominated the first 45 with Sofiane Boufal the creator-in-chief, turning Zambian defenders left and right with his mazy dribbling. And they had the lead they deserved just before the half as Boufal picked out Achraf Hakimi on the edge of the box, the right-back pinging a cross into the six-yard box that Zambian showstopper Lawrence Mulenga could only parry into captain Hakim Ziyech.

The former Chelsea man swept home for 1-0, leaving Chipolopolo with an uphill battle in the second half.

Avram Grant's side came out fighting and pushed for a leveller, going close through Lameck Banda and Patston Daka, but Zambia couldn't find a way through a stubborn Moroccan backline.

The tournament favourites absorbed the underdogs' pressure and did the host nation a massive favour, holding on to knock out Zambia and gifting Ivory Coast an unlikely path into the knockout stages as one of the best third place finishers.

The former Southampton man was at the heart of everything Morocco did well. Zambia struggled to deal with his surging runs through the middle as well as his trickery on the wings. They could hardly handle him.

If you're hosting an incredibly expensive tournament in which you have a proud record as recent champions, you don't want to get knocked out at the group stage.

Ivory Coast were well on their way to an embarrassing exit tonight with the scores level across Group F, but Hakim Ziyech has saved a nation's blushes by scoring the goal that knocked Zambia out at their expense.

Morocco, meanwhile, look worthy of their status as pre-tournament favourites, with all the swagger of a side that was among the world's best four sides not 13 months ago. After coasting through this group, they're the ones to watch.

Zambia: Mulenga 8, L. Musonda 6, F. Musonda 6, Sunzu 7, Mwape 6, Chaiwa 7, L Banda 7, E Banda 6, K Musonda 6, Chilufya 6, Daka 5. Subs. Sakala 5, Kangwa 6, Chama 5.

Morocco: Bono 7, Abdelhamid 7, Aguerd 6, Amrabat 7, Attiyat Allah 6, Boufal 8, El Kaabi 6, Hakimi 7, Ounahi 7, Saibari 6, Ziyech 7. Subs. Adli 6, Ezzalzouli 6, Richardson 5, Tissoudali 4, El Khannouss 5.

39' - GOAL! ZAMBIA 0 MOROCCO 1 (Ziyech). It had been coming...Morocco take the lead and it's their captain Ziyech! Boufal picks out Hakimi on the right, whose cross is punched clear by Mulenga but only as far as Ziyech who is on hand to swipe home.

41' - WHAT A SAVE! Boufal picks out El Kaabi whose header is saved brilliantly by the diving Mulenga.

90' - WHAT A SAVE! Lameck Banda goes for goal from distance and forces a brilliant diving save for Bono. Great goalkeeping to tip it over.

90+4' - MULENGA DENIES MOROCCO! Brilliant goalkeeping! Mulenga makes himself massive to deny Tissoudali twice from close range. A moment later Tissoudali misses again! They've not been clinical at all.

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