Morocco It is one of the selected ones that has grown the most in recent years. It is the result of a plan that not only makes it one of the best in its region, but also allows it to come into contact with world powers. And that wants to be demonstrated in the Africa Cup who has him as a host. However, this Friday he suffered a minor blip. And all of this in front of the jealous gaze of Kylian Mbappewho watched the game from a box in his friend’s jersey Achraf Hakimi.
Kylian Mbappé is at the Morocco vs. Mali game wearing a Morocco jersey with Achraf Hakimi’s number 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/SFFWtR3NFQ
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) December 26, 2025
The thing is 1:1 against Mali at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat marked the end of a spectacular winning streak. In his last 16 appearances he took 16 victories and only beat Spain, the previous record holder, by one point with 15 smiles in a row.
Morocco looked set to become the second team in the championship to reach the round of 16 behind Egypt. But none of that happened. The first goal of the evening was scored by Brahim Díaz, who made no mistake with a penalty. Like Mo Salah, he himself received the maximum penalty, which was also seen by the VAR after Gassama touched the ball with his hand during a move by the Real Madrid midfielder. He didn’t fail against Djigui Diarra and the madness spread throughout the stadium.
My boy, Brahim Diaz, lights up the AFCON!
I’ve said it before, we haven’t seen the version of Brahim we saw at AC Milan yet! Come on boy! pic.twitter.com/AJTEXOmXM3– MKO (@KolajoAle) December 26, 2025
But the tide turned in the second half when the VAR intervened again, but in Mali’s favor. A grab by El Yamik against Sinayoko was the reason for his new appearance and Lassine Sinayoko himself equalized the match with just under half an hour to go.
⚽️🇲🇱 GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL FROM MALI THAT CONNECTS MOROCCO! Lassine Sinayoko’s penalty makes it 1-1. pic.twitter.com/CixVEqytuu https://t.co/lMY6Uo7ZlB
— Nahuel Lanzón (@nahuelzn) December 26, 2025
Morocco went in search of a victory, which they achieved with a volley from En-Nesyri, which Diarra saved with a leg. It was practically the only clear chance in the middle of the siege and ultimately Brahim’s good play was not enough for a team that has four points and will close their group stage against Zambia.
Also in Group A, Zambia were held to a goalless draw against the Comoros at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca in a duel with few chances in which the islanders had the clearest chance of the three points: Myziane Maolida scored a goal in the first half, but the VAR canceled his goal due to a previous foul.
The Comoros dropped two points along the way and are left with one point after their debut loss to Morocco, one less than Mali and Zambia. Since Morocco is the favorite for first place, the three will fight on the last day for the remaining tickets to the round of 16 (the four best third parties from the six groups advance to the round).
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