Morocco will play the quarter-finals of the CAN. Eliminated in the 8th in the previous edition, the Atlas Lions managed to reach the continental top 8 this time. After a well-negotiated first round, they dominated Malawi on Tuesday. A success against the Flames acquired on the smallest of gaps (2-1) but which does not suffer from any dispute as Vahid Halilhodzic’s men were superior to their opponents.
In this match, the Moroccans had to run behind the score after a masterpiece signed by center forward Gabadinho Mhango (7e). A lobbed shot from 42 meters, which totally surprised Bounou. But, the Lions had the merit of not demobilizing after this blow. They multiplied the assaults until they succeeded in equalizing, before delivering the coup de grace in the second half with a magnificent free kick from Achraf Hakimi.
Hakimi inspires (again) Morocco
Already a scorer in this same exercise during the previous match, the Parisian side again distinguished himself with a magnificent missile from the right foot, released from 25 meters and which went to lodge in the middle of the skylight (70e). A beautiful and precious goal, moreover, since it offers the qualification to its own. If it hadn’t been for the post to repel one of his attempts during the first half, the former interist would even have offered himself a double.
Before Hakimi made the talk, it was Youssef En-Nesyri who had scored in favor of the Moroccans. Unhappy on his first attempts, the member of Sevilla FC ended up equalizing in the 45the from a header recovery, on receiving a serve from Amallah. Scored just before the break, this goal did the Maghreb team a world of good.
With 75% possession and six times more shots than their opponent of the day (24 against 4), Morocco largely deserved their victory in this game. Still undefeated in this competition, Sofiane Boufal and others are serious outsiders. But, to hope to go even further in this event, they will have to dismiss Egypt or Ivory Coast. Quite a challenge.
