Zambia’s campaign at the CAF African Nations Championship has come to a disappointing end, with the Chipolopolo crashing out in the group stages without recording a single win. In three matches, they conceded seven goals while managing just two of their own.

The writing was on the wall early for Avram Grant’s side. After suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opener, Zambia then fell 2-1 to Angola, leaving their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals hanging by a thread.

Needing a result against Morocco in their final group match to have any chance of progression, the Chipolopolo were instead comprehensively outplayed by the Atlas Lions, who secured a commanding 3-1 victory.

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Morocco took control of the match with Mohammed Hrimat opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time (45+2′). Ousama Lamloui doubled their advantage in the 66th minute before Kabaso Chongo briefly gave Zambia hope with a goal in the 69th minute.

However, any dreams of a comeback were dashed when Sabir Bougrine sealed Morocco’s victory with a stoppage-time strike in the 90+4th minute. Zambia also had a goal from Happy Nsiku ruled out during the match.

The defeat marks a historic low for Zambia, as this represents the first time the nation has been eliminated at the group stage of the CHAN tournament. The team will complete their campaign against Kenya on Sunday before returning home.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, head coach Avram Grant suggested that winning the tournament was never the primary objective. “Our target at CHAN was different. Of course we want to win, but that was not our main target,” he explained.