Hakimi returns as Morocco eases past Zambia
Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice and Achraf Hakimi returned from injury as Morocco booked a place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages with a 3-0 win over Zambia.
Hakimi has been out of action since he was injured while playing for Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in early November.
Morocco's star player came on as a second-half substitute at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, with his team already three goals to the good.
El Kaabi opened the scoring with a diving header in the ninth minute, with Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz sweeping home to make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark.
A stunning El Kaabi bicycle kick was initially ruled out in the 50th minute, but a VAR check confirmed the Morocco forward had beaten the offside trap to meet Abde Ezzalzouli's cross.
With Mali and Comoros drawing 0-0 in the other game, Morocco confirmed their spot at the top of Group A, meaning Walid Regragui's team will play one of the best third-place teams in the last 16 on 4 January.
This was as convincing as you can get from Morocco, which made its quality count against a Zambia team that has been knocked out.
Morocco had 19 shots and hit the target nine times. Zambia, meanwhile, managed just five efforts, with none of those on target.
It was a confident return to action from Hakimi, who attempted three shots and forced a fine save from Willard Mwanza late on.
