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00:00they will leave space behind.
00:02Well, don't want to leave yourself vulnerable at the back
00:04as the cafe anthem sounds.
00:06The match referee and the two teams make their way out of the tunnel
00:09and onto this absolutely immaculate pitch
00:12of the complex sportive Prince Mouler Abdellah in Rabat.
00:15This is Total Energies, Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025.
00:18It's Group A action between Zambia.
00:20Morocco urged by a nation.
00:22Zambia organized, alert and determined to spoil the party.
00:25We are underway.
00:26Zambia in the orange and black against Morocco
00:29in not their traditional red but rather white.
00:31Win it immediately.
00:32Brian Diaz charging forward.
00:33Lovely ball out wide.
00:34Chance for the earliest goal ever at an Afghan
00:36and not going to happen here and now.
00:38But my word.
00:40Technically, he is remarkably proficient.
00:43And he's the Zambian player on everybody's lips right now.
00:46Two minutes in.
00:48Morocco pushed forward.
00:49Great chance just ahead of Al Qabi.
00:54That's two great opportunities down the right flank
00:57for Morocco in the early stages.
00:59Maybe we're going to see a lot of wing play with the balls being squared.
01:04To a target man.
01:06Al Qabi looks to be that man today.
01:08Here's Brian Diaz on the overlap.
01:10Shibi delivery too close to him.
01:12One's up.
01:13Plucks it out of the air.
01:14Ever since the referee hit the one goal.
01:22Maia Fager brings it under control.
01:25The offside flag up against Patzen Daka.
01:28The kind of player that can turn a match on its head.
01:30Masrawi in towards Esauzuli.
01:32It's a heavy touch though.
01:33And Chongo recovers for Zambia.
01:35Maybe a counter is on the cards.
01:36Daka getting into a central position.
01:39Recovery from Aman Senja.
01:42Oh, on the back foot.
01:44Brian Diaz into the 18-yard area.
01:45Al Qabi holds it up.
01:47Support play.
01:48Running from deep.
01:49Al Ainoui now wide.
01:50Esauzuli breaks into the area.
01:52Great opportunity to shot.
01:53Fires.
01:54It was powerful, but it was parried by Mwanza.
01:58Follow up though unsuccessful.
02:00Well, what I'm finding quite interesting here is the fact that the Moroccan...
02:08Oh, great strike here.
02:09This was a great strike, but it should have been...
02:14Oh.
02:15Well negotiated by the...
02:16The...
02:19Well, that was point-blank rage.
02:21Pure reflex action from Wanza.
02:24Well, he's nicknamed Mr. Clean Sheet.
02:26He's yet to keep a clean sheet in international competition.
02:29The Moroccans are really doing very, very well in the sense that they are...
02:32They are pushing bodies up front, making sure...
02:35And that is why they did not play defensive midfielder.
02:38Lovely long throw into a danger area.
02:43Dominic Chanda among those looking to marshal the defence.
02:47He and Sagala side by side as the ball is nodded away.
02:50The...
02:51Looks to deliver.
02:52The tall men are in for Morocco.
02:53Unai just a little off for a second chance ball.
02:56There is the chance for Unai.
02:58He strikes it, but it's...
03:00Deflected away.
03:02Courtesy...
03:03Of Hamansenya.
03:05That could be a solution.
03:07We'll head out towards the corner flag.
03:09Takes it a little short to the edge of the area.
03:11Back post.
03:12Header and goal!
03:13Ayub Elkabi strikes a 31st international goal.
03:17And he's second at this tournament.
03:19He scored a wonder goal against Comoros.
03:21He's lit up the stadium here in Rabat with an early goal against Zambia.
03:26That's what they needed at all costs.
03:32An early goal.
03:33Oh, a slight smile from Fouzi Lecter, the man in charge of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
03:40He can afford a smile as Morocco have utterly enlivened this crowd and the stadium.
03:46Ayub Elkabi strikes again and it's a training ground move.
03:50Worked to perfection.
03:51Exactly.
03:52Look at the change of...
03:53The change of...
03:54The change of...
03:55The change of pace.
03:56The direction.
03:57Everybody was expecting him to play direct corner kick.
04:00And the fact that they changed the build-up and the...
04:03Brian Diaz.
04:04Remarkable control again for the Spanish-based player.
04:08Lovely on the overlap.
04:09Shibi into the area.
04:10Chips it in.
04:11Back post.
04:12Real chance.
04:13Slight deflection.
04:14It just took it out of the path of the onrushing Ezra Zouli, who wins it back here from Lubamba Musonda.
04:18Well, the intensity of this is barely allowing me to breathe.
04:21This is a very spirited encounter.
04:24This...
04:25Challenged by Sakala.
04:27Chaiwa now forward.
04:28Dakar.
04:29Here's Lubamba Musonda.
04:31Under pressure from two.
04:33Dispossessed by Masraoui.
04:34Saibadi comes away with it.
04:35Referee.
04:36Moroccan seems to are...
04:39They are taking a break now.
04:40Launched forward by Sakala.
04:45Running onto it is Banda.
04:47That'll be a free kick to Morocco.
04:49Masraoui bumped off the ball.
04:51Well, it's an opportunity.
04:54Again, Musonda.
04:57A little break.
04:58In behind Masraoui.
04:59The Manchester United defender with a recovery and feeds the ball out on the near side.
05:03Musonda, who's very good with throw-ins himself, often plays as a left-back.
05:08Often plays as a left-back from throw-ins for goals scored in Zambia.
05:13The 20-year-old Nkana.
05:16Devil's man.
05:20Fended away.
05:22Shibbi with a recovery out towards Unai.
05:24But the ball is won back beautifully on the far side.
05:27Lovely ball into a danger area.
05:31It'll be picked up.
05:33Offside flag goes up.
05:36And that'll be the end of the attacking pressure from Zambia for now.
05:40Lofted ball over the top by Massina.
05:42Chongo.
05:43Chaiwa will recover this.
05:46Under pressure from Izzelzuli, though.
05:48He's overwhelmed by Nambes.
05:49Alcabi has a chance.
05:50Looks to square it.
05:51Brahim Diaz now.
05:53Takes it wide.
05:54Shoots just beyond the goalkeeper, but just beyond his back post as well.
05:58Well struck.
05:59And this is what we said prior to the game that the Moroccans needed to do.
06:03That was to always, when, to put pressure on the opposition.
06:08The moment they lose the ball in the final third of your position.
06:11And that's what they just did there.
06:13Doubled up.
06:14A strike that could have gone in.
06:16Was not.
06:20There's Azuli.
06:21Looks to take on two and still comes away with possession.
06:24He's got outlets available.
06:25Looks for the passing lane.
06:27Eventually finds Unai before it's...
06:36There's Unai.
06:37Oh, that's a delightful ball.
06:39Perfectly weighted.
06:40Azazuli on the end of it.
06:41Cut back space.
06:42Chance there.
06:43And he's done it.
06:44Brahim Diaz becomes only the second Moroccan to score in all three group stage matches for Morocco.
06:51Not since 1976 when Ahmed Faraz, who lifted the trophy that year with Morocco, did it.
06:57Has any Moroccan done it?
06:59Now the Atlas Lion himself, Brahim Diaz, can celebrate a second Morocco goal in this game.
07:05A third of the tournament.
07:06And not just a box ticked, but a record equaled.
07:12This is a typical example of what we say, the quality of the pass is helped a lot by the quality of the run that was given.
07:24If we look at the run that was made on the left side of the attack for the Moroccans.
07:30It's actually 1972, I beg your pardon.
07:34I'm losing my mind here.
07:35They won it in 76, but it was all three group matches in 1972 that Faraz scored.
07:39He remains Morocco's all-time leading goal scorer there, Ahmed Faraz.
07:45And Cameroon 1972.
07:49Repeat that feat again?
07:51A lot of the big nations in Africa will beg to disagree.
07:58There's many storylines like Nigeria beating Tanzania in their first game.
08:03They really want to win this edition.
08:06And I think it kind of accounts a bit for the pressure they've been living under for ever since this tournament kicked off.
08:16Stun the world with the Olympic gold in Atlanta 96.
08:20And then to stun the world again in the World Cup.
08:25Well, Illinois gets things going again.
08:28Mack with Unai.
08:29She'll be looking to fly on the overlap.
08:31Abraham Diaz looks for a deep delivery.
08:34Matthews Banda.
08:36Azedin, Unai, and Ezra Zouli left for Unai now.
08:42As they break, the Mexican wave begins to go all around the venue.
08:48So-called because it was popularized in Mexico at the 1986 World Cup.
08:53Not because it was invented in Mexico.
08:58Taken short, Ezra Zouli.
09:00Unai.
09:01Ezra Zouli charging forward.
09:02Low and flat.
09:03Deflected away.
09:04Second chance ball for Unai.
09:05And he's blasted it well wide.
09:07Now Unai with a lovely interception.
09:14Flying forward of several Moroccan players.
09:16Ezra Zouli, square ball.
09:17In behind everybody.
09:18It's meant late.
09:19But disappointingly for Diaz, he can't find the net a second time in the game.
09:24The attacking wave of the Moroccans is impressive.
09:28The moment the ball, look at it, it's just like a wave that's coming.
09:31The other concern from a Zambian perspective here Sunday is that's gone through three defenders
09:37and no Zambian defender has actually touched that.
09:39And that is not the first time it's happened.
09:42The endless depth in this Morocco squad means there will be no let up for Zambia today.
09:49And Zambia have a bit of a mountain to climb here.
09:52It's not an Everest, but in African terms this is a bit of a Kilimanjaro.
09:57There's another free kick is conceded and a yellow card is issued.
10:02Well, it's not too far from Kilimanjaro because what the Moroccans have become.
10:09Shibi back inside towards Brahim Diaz after Unai drifted out wide.
10:14Brahim Diaz powerful at parried.
10:17Mwanza with a save to deny Brahim Diaz a second in this game.
10:22He makes it look so easy.
10:24He makes it look so easy.
10:25That's what the great players are all about.
10:27Another chance.
10:30Outside.
10:32And I think Diaz also.
10:33These two players are way ahead the rest of the pack.
10:37And Osemen is nothing bad.
10:39He's got his goal now.
10:41Halftime here.
10:42Zambia nil.
10:43Morocco two.
10:44A quick thought on the 45 minutes Sunday.
10:47And he is replaced by the very young attacker from Zanako.
10:50The 18 year old Elia Mandangi.
10:53Second half is underway.
10:54Morocco in white lead by two.
10:56Zambia in their traditional orange and black.
10:59With much to do.
11:02Morocco.
11:04Inside that 18 yard area again.
11:06A brief touch from Diaz.
11:08But away goes Zambia streaking forward.
11:10Looking to work the ball up towards one of the danger players.
11:14Interesting that Moses Ciccione has gone with the teenager Mandangi.
11:18Rather than the more experienced Kennedy Musonda.
11:22Who is their leading scorer in qualifying Sunday.
11:25We'll get back to that in a moment.
11:26Ezra Zouli.
11:27Dispossesses his opponent.
11:28Cut back space.
11:29Straight down the center.
11:30Unai gets a deflected shot in.
11:32That Muanza is able to pouch.
11:34Parts of the game.
11:35He's had to drop into his own half at times.
11:37That's Benson Sakala.
11:39Can't work the ball past two.
11:40Saibadi with a little interception.
11:42And Ezra Zouli now with a run.
11:44And the pass offside though.
11:46And the flag goes up.
11:48For the Zambians.
11:50A little bit of space opening up for Zambia.
11:53Lamek Banda runs onto it.
11:54Controls past his man.
11:56Gets past Shibi.
11:57Cut back inside.
11:58Zambia with a shot inside the 18 yard area.
12:00And it's pulled disappointingly from Daka.
12:03If you look at this action now.
12:06They sent in six players forward.
12:08And that's made the difference.
12:09One, two, three, four, five.
12:10And there are two of them that are off the screen.
12:12You can see.
12:13That is what they need to do.
12:15As much as possible.
12:17Sending more players forward.
12:19But when you lose the ball.
12:20You can come back.
12:21But when you have the ball.
12:22Go forward.
12:23Take the ball or nothing now for Zambia.
12:24Exactly.
12:25How will they change their game plan for the second half?
12:27They look to put four at the back.
12:29When they're defending.
12:30But they've got three at the back.
12:32When they are in possession.
12:34Speaking of in possession.
12:35For a moment.
12:36Banda thought he had it.
12:37And Abdus Samad Izzalzouli stand over it.
12:41Both Spain based.
12:43Izzalzouli with Real Batiste.
12:45Lovely ball over the top.
12:47And it's there again.
12:48Absolutely glorious.
12:50What a goal.
12:51Unfortunately it's an offside.
12:53Oh my word.
12:55The flag raised.
12:57Goal.
12:58Ayo Belkavi can celebrate a second in the game.
13:04A third in the tournament.
13:06Joins Brahim Diaz.
13:07And Riyan Mahrez on three goals in the tournament.
13:10And it is special.
13:12It is significant.
13:14And it is stunning.
13:16This is beautiful for football.
13:21Ayo Belkavi has an eye for the spectacular.
13:25And despite his age.
13:27He's edging on in years shall we say.
13:29He is producing the most acrobatic of finishes.
13:33What age are you talking about?
13:35He's ageless.
13:36What is ageless?
13:37What age are you talking about?
13:39Well goalkeepers hate these.
13:41Because you never know where they're gonna go.
13:43Ayo Belkavi so clinical.
13:45Against Benin last year.
13:47Against Komoros here.
13:48And now against Zambia.
13:50Three bicycle kicks effectively in 12 months.
13:53And they just went like okay Sunday.
13:56We're gonna show you where careful.
13:58Well Ayo Belkavi now is up to 33 international goals.
14:03Wow.
14:04Or 32 international goals.
14:06I beg your pardon.
14:07But.
14:08Wow.
14:09Or 32 international goals.
14:12I beg your pardon.
14:13But.
14:14The record goal scorer for Morocco is.
14:18Ahmed Faraz.
14:19Alkabi is second on the list.
14:21There's a little bit of frustration start.
14:26Relentless now.
14:27Isazuli with an opportunity.
14:28Parried to safety.
14:29And swept away.
14:30It'll be a corner to Morocco.
14:34But the manager knows best.
14:45Massive cheers.
14:46For the talismanic presence of Ashraf Hakimi.
14:49Hakimi.
14:50Hakimi.
14:51Hakimi is on everywhere.
14:52I think this country has.
14:53They've never seen a bigger star.
14:54The way the people have taken him.
14:56Chance from the set piece.
14:59Aguirre will strike it.
15:00But he strikes it well high and wide.
15:02But importantly what they would mean for their knockout stages is they would stay at this their home venue.
15:08Ahomash gets away from Chanda.
15:11It's a little recovery.
15:13One's a quickly off his line as Alkabi was lurking.
15:16This game is not only important that they get the result.
15:19But the way they get it is important.
15:21Because then it kind of like reinforces your belief in yourself.
15:25And for the manager it's perfect.
15:27Because it gives the players now renewed belief in your philosophy.
15:31Yes.
15:32Because Zambia have conceded a third goal.
15:34Comoros if they managed to hold on to the draw would finish third in the group.
15:38And there would still be an outside chance of finishing as one of the teams that could qualify as the best.
15:43To have won the double with him in the Netherlands.
15:46So I know what this boy is.
15:47You know all about him in his time at Ajax.
15:49I don't know all about him as much as you do because he's your countryman.
15:53You kind of feel for the Zambians because it's not been easy for them really.
15:57Because the pressure they've had to live with this game has not been easy.
16:01Delivery again towards the back post.
16:05USA a very good USA team 4-0.
16:08They beat Egypt 6-0 in the third place playoff.
16:11Hakimi.
16:15This one floats over.
16:17And it doesn't matter where they're in possession on the pitch.
16:20Morocco are relentless in their pressure.
16:23Three goals for the home team as Mwanza out of his area.
16:27Sidesteps a little attention from Inneseri.
16:33Now with Finabache in the...
16:36Bangwa is coming off.
16:39The other change is to see Patson Daka come off.
16:42And this is a...
16:46That's a little bit of a strange one.
16:48That's not one that I can fathom quite.
16:51Wilson Chisala is very much a settled player now.
16:54And Dolaborn from Zanako.
16:56But he's really settled into the national team environment well.
16:59Mm-hm.
17:00Very tall.
17:01Scores some critical goals for Zanako as well.
17:06Here on the 4th of January.
17:08Hakimi.
17:14Problems. Inneseri is on the end of it here.
17:16Inneseri.
17:17Players lining up.
17:19Hakimi!
17:20Oh!
17:21Agonizingly close.
17:22Kept alive though.
17:23Wonderful save from Mwanza.
17:25Talbi pulls it back.
17:27Shibi.
17:28Talbi.
17:29Great goalkeeping.
17:30Great goalkeeping.
17:31Great goalkeeping.
17:32Oh, that was in for all money.
17:34Here's a chance.
17:35And Hakimi again with the opportunity.
17:37And Mwanza manages to pluck the bouncing ball.
17:42But this was inneseri at his best.
17:45But what a chance.
17:46And what a save, as you say.
17:48What a save.
17:50This is...look at the extension.
17:51Shibi.
17:52Talbi.
17:53Great goalkeeping.
17:55Great goalkeeping.
17:56Great goalkeeping.
17:57Oh, that was in for all money.
17:58Here's a chance.
17:59And Hakimi again with the opportunity.
18:01Mwanza.
18:02The home base team winning the FIFA Arab Cup and the African Nations Championship titles as well.
18:08Duane, stop, stop, stop.
18:09I'll stop.
18:10I'll stop before I get to the club action.
18:12Stop, stop, because you make it.
18:13Or the beach action.
18:14Or the futsal action.
18:15Stop.
18:16Yeah, the depth is just significant.
18:19It's unbelievable.
18:20It's unbelievable.
18:21Near side.
18:24And it's impressive how you've collected all this.
18:28We should praise you for this hard work.
18:32They've done their best.
18:33They have.
18:34And this will be 13 matches without a win at the African Cup of Nations.
18:38I mean, their last victory as well, given the tragedy that occurred off the coast of Gabon to return to Gabon and win the title in Gabon with the Zambian side.
18:49Zambia by three goals to nil here.
18:51And that would mean Morocco would top the group by four points.
18:54And Marley would finish as runners up.
18:56Comoros would finish third on two points.
18:59Ball out wide.
19:00Space for Morocco again.
19:02Lovely pass.
19:03Ahomash breaks inside the 18-yard area.
19:06Ahomash stays on his feet.
19:08Ahomash going off his feet and trying to make a challenge.
19:11Shibi with a return ball.
19:12And Neisser is so close.
19:13Still alive.
19:14Hakimi tries, but the offside flag is raised.
19:17Maybe, just maybe, signalling that they are among those aiming to be champions elect in 2025-2026.
19:26Lovely atmosphere.
19:27Chisala.
19:28Probably some of the best moments of the game.
19:32Lamekbanda.
19:33Lamekbanda.
19:34There are outlets.
19:35There are passing lanes.
19:37There's a little space here.
19:38Lovely effort at the near post, but left by Bonu, who knew exactly where his upright was.
19:43And it's no good for Kivan Kalusa.
19:46The 17-year-old.
19:49Well struck.
19:50Well struck.
19:51Deceptive strike.
19:55Look at the Moroccans still present.
19:58Well I was going to say, listen to the Moroccan fans.
20:01As you say, look at the Moroccans and maybe those are linked.
20:04The noise from the crowd and the performance from the players.
20:09A little tug off the ball and that might be a caution.
20:12That should be a lookout.
20:13Yeah, we are going to see.
20:14Unai collects the caution.
20:19Lamekbanda.
20:20Touchback Lamekbanda.
20:22Well the interplay was far more promising.
20:25But ultimately no reward for Zambia here.
20:28The return ball from Given Kalusa.
20:31And Lamekbanda.
20:32Oh but the change of pace was really good.
20:34The tempo.
20:35Effectively two years.
20:37And many of those have been competitive matches.
20:40Qualifiers and tournament finals.
20:43And let's not forget.
20:45Effectively two years.
20:47And many of those have been competitive matches.
20:51Qualifiers and tournament finals.
20:53And let's not forget.
20:56While there's nothing silly about that.
20:59I think it's even a very, very interesting question.
21:02Because like we said earlier.
21:04The Zambians are not humiliated.
21:05So it's not as if they were dominated to the point of.
21:08You know, being beaten more than that.
21:11The successes the Moroccans have had.
21:13You know.
21:14It's not been easy.
21:16That is the end of this tie.
21:18After the goalless draw between Komoros and Mali.
21:21I can confirm that Zambia are out.
21:24And that Morocco top group A.
21:27They have beaten Zambia.
21:29With an imperious performance.
21:32They have dazzled.
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