“Ayoub El Kaabi stood in the middle of the pitch with his arms out wide, imploring the officials to rule in his favour and gift 62,532 fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat a moment they would never forget. A stunning acrobatic finish from El Kaabi in the 50th minute of Morocco’s 3-0 victory against Zambia was initially ruled offside. When it was then given by referee Issa Sy, the striker was mobbed by his team-mates and shook his head, almost in disbelief at what he had done. The 32-year-old, who plays for Greek top-flight side Olympiacos, had opened the scoring against Zambia with a header — but this was a totally different kind of aerial finish. It is one we have already become used to seeing from him at this Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)
Two overhead kicks in eight days: Which of Ayoub El Kaabi’s outrageous AFCON goals was better?
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“Morocco responded emphatically to the pressure of a decisive final group match, producing a commanding 3–0 victory over Zambia on Monday night to finish top of Group A at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025. The hosts set the tone early, playing with urgency and clarity from the opening exchanges. Their dominance was rewarded inside nine minutes when Ayoub El Kaabi opened the scoring. A cleverly worked short corner from the right saw Azzedine Ounahi float an inviting delivery to the far post, where El Kaabi rose unchallenged to head home from close range. The second goal arrived in the 27th minute, once again highlighting Ounahi’s creative influence. The midfielder slipped a perfectly weighted pass down the left to Abde Ezzalzouli, whose low cross evaded El Kaabi but fell invitingly to Brahim Diaz. The winger showed composure to guide a left-footed finish past goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata Mwanza, doubling the lead before half-time. …”
“When the uncapped Valerenga midfielder Brice Ambina withdrew from the Cameroon squad on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations, new coach David Pagou responded with a surprise call-up. Arnold Mael Kamdem, a 25-year-old midfielder, was a vaguely familiar name to Cameroonians, but only those with a decent memory, seeing as he had left the country for a career in Brazil in 2020. Kamdem has since bounced around so many clubs that even the teamsheet from Sunday night’s game against the Ivory Coast was out of date. …”
Scissors Kick 