CHAN 2024: Morocco Overcome Zambia to Leave Chipolopolo Pointless Ahead of Harambee Stars Tie

Morocco bounced back to winning ways against Zambia in their third match of the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) following their loss to Harambee Stars last Sunday.

Two-time African Nations Championship (CHAN) winners Morocco overcame Zambia 3-1 on Thursday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium, tightening the race for Group A’s top spot at the 2024 tournament on home soil.

The Atlas Lions, buoyed by their pedigree and sharp ball control, dominated proceedings from the opening whistle. Even with a section of the Kenyan crowd offering vocal encouragement to the Southern Africans, Morocco’s early pressure was relentless. 

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First Half

Within the first half hour, Zambia twice had to clear the ball off their goal line after set-piece deliveries caused chaos in the penalty area.

Zambia’s best first-half opportunity came just before the interval when Kelvin Kampamba’s fierce strike from outside the box forced Moroccan goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar into a diving save. But moments later, Morocco broke the deadlock. 

Youssef Belammari lofted a teasing cross towards Youssef Mehri, who calmly cut the ball back for Mohamed Rabie Hrimat. The AS FAR midfielder swept home from close range to send Morocco into the break 1-0 ahead.

Second Half

The second half began in subdued fashion, with neither side finding a breakthrough in the early exchanges. Zambia looked more dangerous from a 58th-minute set piece, as Kampamba again tested Al Harrar. 

The rebound fell to Charles Zulu, whose cross found Wilson Chisala, but the Moroccan goalkeeper parried the resulting shot.

Chipolopolo thought they had levelled in the 64th minute when a scrambled effort crossed the line, but the referee ruled the goal out for a foul on Al Harrar in the build-up.

 That disappointment was compounded just minutes later when Osama Lamliaoui rose highest to power a header past Zambia’s goalkeeper, doubling Morocco’s lead.

Zambia managed to pull a goal back through Chongo Kabas, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. However, Morocco remained in control, and in stoppage time substitute Sabir Bourgine capped the performance with a well-taken third goal to seal a 3-1 victory.

The result leaves Zambia rooted to the bottom of Group A without a point after two matches, their qualification hopes now hanging by a thread ahead of their final fixture against Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

 Morocco, on six points, remain second in the group and will face DR Congo at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday in a decisive clash that could determine the group winners.

With their dominance in possession and clinical finishing, Morocco’s latest display was a reminder of why they are among the favourites for the title — and a warning to any side standing in their way.