Morocco 2-0 Zambia Player Ratings: Bono Rated 8.5 as Atlas Lions Secure a Comfortable 2-0 Victory

Morocco delivered a commanding performance to secure a 2-0 victory over Zambia in a crucial CAF World Cup Qualifiers clash. The match, held at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, saw the Atlas Lions assert their dominance from the early stages. It was a tale of clinical finishing versus missed opportunities.

From our perspective, Morocco's game plan was executed to near perfection. They struck early, with Youssef En-Nesyri finding the net just seven minutes in, a goal that immediately put Zambia on the back foot. The visitors then effectively sealed the result just after halftime, as Hamza Igamane unleashed a strike to double their lead, leaving the home side with a mountain to climb.

Zambia fought valiantly and created several notable chances, primarily orchestrated by their standout captain, Kings Kangwa. However, they were repeatedly denied by the brilliance of Moroccan goalkeeper Bono, who was a formidable barrier. This encounter highlighted Morocco's quality and why they are such a force in African football.

Morocco Player Ratings vs Zambia

Goalkeeper

Bono - 8.5: A true captain's performance from the man between the sticks. He was simply outstanding, making four crucial saves inside the box to keep a well-deserved clean sheet. What stood out to us was his commanding presence and a vital save from a Patson Daka one-on-one. The late yellow card was a minor blip on an otherwise flawless night. He was, without doubt, one of the highest-rated players on the pitch.

Defenders

Y. Belammari - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, outing. He did his primary job of defending competently, though he was dribbled past on a couple of occasions. We noticed he was positionally sound for the most part, contributing to the clean sheet without making any glaring errors.

Adam Masina - 7.0: A very busy night for the defender. His 14 clearances were a testament to his defensive resolve and reading of the game. However, he'll be kicking himself for missing a big chance early on. His distribution was a bit inconsistent, but his defensive work was immense.

Mohamed Chibi - 7.0: He was a robust presence on the right flank. Chibi won most of his duels and made several important clearances and interceptions. He did lose possession more than he would have liked, but his tenacity was key before he was substituted late in the game.

Jawad El Yamiq - 7.0: A quiet but very effective performance at the heart of the defence. He was not one for flashy tackles, instead relying on his excellent positioning to make seven clearances. He provided a calming influence that spread across the backline.

Midfielders

Sofyan Amrabat - 6.0: This was a surprisingly subdued performance from a player of his calibre. From our perspective, he seemed slightly off the pace, getting booked and being dribbled past too easily. He just couldn't impose himself on the game as he usually does.

Neil El Aynaoui - 7.0: The metronome in Morocco's midfield. His 100% pass accuracy is a statistic that speaks volumes about his composure and quality on the ball. He also worked tirelessly off the ball, recovering it seven times to break up Zambia's play.

Bilal El Khannouss - 6.0: A difficult evening for the young midfielder. He struggled to get into the flow of the game, committing four fouls and finding it hard to escape his markers. It was no surprise to see him substituted after 73 minutes.

Forwards

Eliesse Ben Seghir - 7.5: A constant creative spark for the Atlas Lions. He created two big chances and was a thorn in Zambia's side until his substitution. His vision and ability to deliver a killer pass were on full display. The yellow card was the only negative mark.

Youssef En-Nesyri - 8.0: Led the line superbly. He took his goal with the predatory instinct we know he has and was a constant physical challenge for the Zambian defenders, winning an impressive eight duels. His work rate was phenomenal, tracking back and helping his team defend from the front.

Hamza Igamane - 8.0: An absolutely fantastic display. His goal from outside the box was a thing of beauty, capping off a performance full of energy and power. Winning 12 duels shows just how much of a handful he was, a true nightmare for the opposition defenders.

Substitutes

Ismael Saibari - N/A: Came on late and had little time to make an impact.
Ayoub El Kaabi - N/A: Replaced Ben Seghir but the game was already won.
Maroan Sannadi - N/A: Brought on to see out the game.
Amine Adli - N/A: A late substitute with minimal involvement.
Omar El Hilali - N/A: Came on in stoppage time.

Manager

W. Regragui - 8.0: His tactical plan was spot-on. The team was well-drilled, disciplined at the back, and ruthless in attack. Setting up to press high from the start paid dividends with the early goal, and he managed the game expertly from there. A masterful coaching performance.

Zambia Player Ratings vs Morocco

Goalkeeper

Toaster Nsabata - 6.0: A tough night for the Zambian keeper. He couldn't have done much for either of the goals he conceded. With only one save made, it shows he was left exposed by the defenders in front of him.

Defenders

Obino Chisala - 6.0: He had a challenging time dealing with Morocco's fluid attack and was eventually substituted. He tried his best but was often second best in his duels before coming off.

Gift Prosper Mphande - 7.0: A bright spot in a disappointing team performance. He was strong and decisive, winning an impressive seven of his nine duels and showing great composure in possession. A performance to be proud of despite the scoreline.

Benson Sakala - 6.5: He was tidy on the ball, boasting a high pass completion rate. However, as part of the defensive unit, he shares responsibility for the goals conceded. A decent, but not decisive, performance.

Kabaso Chongo - 6.5: The defender was active, making six clearances and winning a good number of aerial battles. However, he was also guilty of losing possession too often, which invited pressure onto his team.

Midfielders

Miguel Chaiwa - 5.0: A very poor performance that he will want to forget quickly. His error leading to a goal was a devastating blow for his team. He lost the majority of his duels and looked completely overwhelmed in the midfield battle. From our perspective, he was the worst performer on the pitch.

Lameck Banda - 6.0: He ran hard and put in a shift but lacked the quality to make a real difference in the final third. His frustration was evident with the yellow card he picked up before being substituted.

Fashion Sakala - 5.5: An incredibly frustrating player to watch on the night. His movement was good, but being caught offside three times killed promising attacks. He squandered the chances that came his way, failing to test the keeper.

Emmanuel Banda - 6.5: One of the few who tried to drive Zambia forward. He was neat in possession and looked to create openings, but he was fighting a losing battle against a superior Moroccan midfield.

Kings Kangwa - 8.0: Zambia's Man of the Match, without a shadow of a doubt. He was the heart and soul of his team, creating four chances and constantly trying to make something happen. He won an incredible 10 duels and was a nuisance all game. A true captain's innings that deserved more.

Forwards

Patson Daka - 5.5: A really disappointing night for the striker. He got into great positions and had three shots on target, but missing two big chances cost his team dearly. On another night, he could have been a hero, but his finishing let him down.

Substitutes

Edward Chilufya - N/A: Came on for the final 25 minutes but couldn't change the game's trajectory.
Kennedy Musonda - N/A: Had limited time and touches to influence the match.
Joseph Sabobo - N/A: A late substitution with no real impact.

Manager

A. Grant - 5.5: His team looked tactically outclassed. Conceding early in both halves suggests a lack of concentration and organization. While they had moments in attack, his side was defensively frail and unable to cope with Morocco's quality.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Bono