Al-Kaabi, “the artist,” leads Morocco to victory over Zambia, with the participation of Hakimi

Ayoub El Kaabi continued to score his wonderful goals to lead Morocco to an easy 3-0 victory over Zambia, ensuring the home team tops its group in the African Cup of Nations on Monday, in a match that witnessed the return of full-back Achraf Hakimi.
Morocco topped Group A with seven points, four points ahead of Mali, which drew 0-0 with the Comoros, while Zambia came in fourth place with two points behind on goal difference from the Comoros.
Al-Kaabi gave Morocco an early lead in the ninth minute, reflecting the dominance of coach Walid Regragui’s team from the beginning, before Brahim Diaz increased the lead in the 27th minute after a wonderful series of passes.
Al-Kaabi added his second and third goal for Morocco with a wonderful back kick, bringing to mind his amazing goal in the same way against the Comoros in the opening match of the tournament. The goal was not counted at first due to offside, so the veteran striker lamented his luck, before the referee returned to the video technology and confirmed the validity of the goal in the 50th minute.
Hakimi, the African Player of the Year, participated in the 64th minute after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during his team, Paris Saint-Germain, lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in November.
Morocco will play with the third team in the third, fourth or fifth group in the round of 16.