CHAN: Morocco and Guinea progress to semi-finals
- Published
Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi celebrates opening the scoring in Douala
Holders Morocco swept Zambia aside with a 3-1 victory in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) to set up a semi-final showdown with hosts Cameroon.
Raja Casablanca striker Soufiane Rahimi opened the scoring after a minute in Douala, sliding the ball past Zambia goalkeeper Allan Chibwe.
Midfielder Mohammed Benmammer doubled Morocco's lead eight minutes later. Zambia's Zachariah Chilongoshi did not help his side's cause after being red-carded for a studs-up tackle.
Ayoub El Kaabi, who was top scorer as Morocco won the title in 2018, completed a first half-scoring blitz for Morocco when converting from the penalty spot 39 minutes in.
Zambia managed a consolation in the 80th minute through substitute Moses Phiri but it was too little too late to prevent their exit from the tournament.
Two years ago, the Atlas Lions won the CHAN on home soil and they will look to prevent Cameroon from doing the same on Wednesday in Limbe.
In Sunday's other quarter-final, Guinea beat Rwanda 1-0 in a tense match in Limbe.
Midfielder Morlaye Sylla scored on the 60th minute curling a wonderful free kick into the top corner.
Both teams had players sent off. Guinea's Mory Kante saw red within 15 minutes following a high tackle while Rwandan stopper Olivier Kwizera took an early shower later on.
Guinea will play Mali in the semi-finals in Douala on Wednesday, the same day that the hosts meet the holders in Limbe.