Morocco make it seven wins from seven in Group E

Morocco maintained their perfect record in 2026 World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Monday, September 8.

Early goals in each half from Youssef En-Nesyri and Hamza Igamane secured a seventh consecutive win for Walid Regragui's side as they went 11 points clear of Tanzania at the top of Group E.

The Copper Bullets' World Cup hopes are dangling by a thread following a fourth defeat in six matches which has left them four points behind the Taifa Stars in third place.

The Atlas Lions became the first African team to qualify for the global showpiece after a 5-0 demolition of Niger on September 5 made it six wins in the trot in Group E.

Chipolopolo hadn't played since 11 June 2024 when they lost 1-0 to Tanzania, although they were awarded a 3-0 victory against Congo, who refused to host the match in DR Congo earlier this year.

The visitors got off to the perfect start in Ndola as En-Nesyri capitalised on miscommunication in the opposition defence to slot past Toaster Nsabata on seven minutes.

Avram Grant's side recovered from the early setback and created a couple of chances of their own, with Fashion Sakala hitting the side-netting on 20 minutes after combining with Patson Daka.

Sakala was presented with another opportunity 11 minutes later, but he was unable to beat Yassine Bounou after getting on the end of Kings Kangwa's floated cross.

The North Africans took their one-goal lead into the break and they wasted little time in doubling their advantage after the restart.

Igamane made it two goals in two games with a wonder strike from distance, repaying the faith shown to him by Regragui, who handed the Lille striker his first start as reward for opening his account against the Menas last week as a substitute.

Still the hosts refused to give up and Daka threatened to pull one back with a strike that was parried away by Bounou on 52 minutes. Sakala then tried his luck from range five minutes later, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Zambia continued to push for a goal in the closing stages and Sakala should perhaps have done better then he directed a header over the bar from Kangwa's free-kick in the 87th minute.

Zambia 0

Morocco (1) 2 (En-Nesyri 7', Igamane 47')

Zambia: T. Nsabata, O. Chisala (K. Musonda 67'), G. Mphande (J. Sabobo 88'), M. Chaiwa, E. Banda (L. Musonda 67'), F. Sakala, K. Kangwa, P. Daka, B. Sakala, K. Chongo, L. Banda (E. Chilufya 66').

Morocco: Y. Bounou, Y. Belammari, A. Masina, M. Chibi, J. El Yamiq, E. Ben Seghir (A. El Kaabi 73'), H. Igamane (A. Adli 86'), B. El Khannouss (I. Saibari 73'), S. Amrabat, N. El Aynaoui, Y. En-Nesyri (M. Sannadi 86').