Co-hosts Kenya held their nerve to defeat Zambia 1-0 yesterday, reaching the African Nations Championship quarterfinals on their tournament debut.
Kenya finished at the top of Group A, thanks to striker Ryan Ogam’s 75th-minute goal in Nairobi. The home team already had one foot in the knockout phase heading into the final round of group matches, knowing that avoiding defeat would guarantee their progress.
Morocco secured second place in the group and a last-eight berth with a 3-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in a winner-takes-all clash.
Berkane forward Oussama Lamlioui scored in the eighth minute to give Morocco the lead, having been level on six points with their opponents before kick-off.
The DRC equalised through Jephte Kitambala, who netted his second goal of the tournament shortly before half-time.
Two-time champions Morocco regained the lead through a Mohamed Hrimat penalty with 20 minutes remaining, before Lamlioui sealed the win in the 80th minute.
Kenya will face Madagascar in the quarterfinals, while Morocco will play co-hosts Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Friday.
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