Morocco defeated Zambia 1-0 in Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, allowing hosts Ivory Coast to advance to the round of 16.
The Ivorians, who were defeated 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea on Monday, were among the four highest-ranked third-place teams to qualify.
Group winners Morocco will face South Africa in the round of 16, while runner-up Democratic Republic of Congo, which drew 0-0 with Tanzania, will play Egypt.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui watched the game from the stands after being suspended for two games following a post-match altercation with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba on Sunday.
Regragui stormed the pitch after the 1-1 draw and looked to have a heated conversation with Mbemba while also attempting to shake hands. The two men were then separated by other individuals.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation plans to appeal the penalty, saying it “incomprehensible” as Regragui did not violate the spirit of fair play.
Morocco was playing their 73rd match and Zambia their 70th in the flagship African championship, but this was only the third meeting between the two, with the Atlas Lions winning and drawing the first two.
The shock 2022 World Cup semi-finalists rested captain and defender Romain Saiss, while forward Youssef En-Nesyri began on the bench.
With Zambia captain Roderick Kabwe suspended, Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) were headed by recalled Lubambo Musonda, with regular starters Fashion Sakala and Kings Kangwa as substitutes.
Morocco went into the last round group encounter already assured of a spot in the last 16, while Zambia needed to at least draw to advance at the cost of Ivory Coast.
As expected, the top-ranked Moroccan squad in Africa immediately took control of territory and possession in the southwestern coastal city.
Zambia averted several scares before going behind after 38 minutes at a stadium named after the late Ivorian football legend Laurent Pokou.
Lawrence Mulenga, the goalkeeper, mishandled an Achraf Hakimi cross, and Ziyech was the first to react in the goalmouth, slamming the loose ball into the net.
The Gabonese referee lectured Moroccan winger Sofiane Boufal shortly after for diving in the area to seek a penalty.
Ziyech, who is on loan from Chelsea to Galatasaray in Istanbul, did not return for the second half due to an injury and was replaced by Amine Adli.
With 20 minutes remaining, Zambia coach and former Chelsea and West Ham United manager Avram Grant substituted Sakala and Kangwa, seeking to increase the chances of an equaliser.
AFP