AFCON: El Kaabi dazzles in Morocco win, South Africa, Mali move to knockout phase

Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice, including another bicycle kick, to lead Morocco to a 3-0 win over Zambia in the final round of Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2025 Group A matches on Monday. The striker once in each half, with Brahim Diaz scoring the other goal that sent Zambia crashing out of the tournament, […]

Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice, including another bicycle kick, to lead Morocco to a 3-0 win over Zambia in the final round of Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2025 Group A matches on Monday.

The striker once in each half, with Brahim Diaz scoring the other goal that sent Zambia crashing out of the tournament, while Morocco finished top of Group A with seven points.

El Kaabi put Morocco ahead on with a header from Azzedine Ounahi’s cross following a shot corner, before Diaz doubled the advantage with a first-time finish into the bottom corner from Abde Ezzalzouli’s cross.

El Kaabi would score the pick of the bunch five minutes into the second half, sending a bicycle kick shot beyond Willard Mwanza in Zambia goal, from Ounahi’s free-kick delivery.

It was the Olympiacos of Greece striker’s second bicycle kick goal at AFCON 2025, and he has three goals in the tournament, joint-top with Diaz and Riyad Mahrez of Algeria.

Mali also qualified as second in Group A drawing all three group matches to amass three points. The Eagles could only play out a goalless draw with Comoros who finish third and await a chance of qualifying as one of four best third-placed nations.

South Africa also joined other qualified nations in the knockout phase after a thrilling 3-2 win over neighbours Zimbabwe.

The Bafana Bafana required an 82nd-minute penalty from Oswin Appollis to defeat the Warriors who crash out as the bottom nation in Group B.