Morocco and Egypt secured their ticket to the Paris Olympics football tournament by beating Mali and Guinea respectively in the semi-finals of the CAN U-23. A third African ticket will be decided between the two losers in the match for third place.
Published on: 05/07/2023 – 10:56
Morocco and Egypt clinched their place in the final of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday (July 4th) by beating Mali (2-2, 4-3 on pens) and Guinea (1-0) respectively. ). At the same time, the two African selections validated their ticket for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
For Morocco, the match was laborious while the host country had so far flown above the competition. If Zakaria El Ouahdi quickly opened the scoring (14th), Mamady Diambou (66th) set the record straight in the second half, forcing the Atlas cubs to whip in overtime. A goal on each side later, it was thanks to penalties that Morocco snatched their place in the final and their qualification for Paris-2024.
Last winner of the CAN, Egypt has meanwhile forced less. A quick goal from Shehata Mahmoud was enough for the Egyptians to secure their place in the final despite pressure from the Guineans.
To the Paris Olympics 2024 ????
Qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! A proud moment for our Nation. Can’t wait to see them shine on the global stage! ????⚽️#DimaMaghrib ???????? pic.twitter.com/qHTST0YZHR
— Morocco team (@EnMaroc) July 4, 2023
Twelve years after London, the Lion cubs of the Atlas will participate in Paris in their seventh Olympic Games. The young Pharaohs will play their 13th Olympic tournament, a record for the continent.
Both teams will attempt to make Olympic history by winning the gold medal, like their continental counterparts Nigeria in 1996 and Cameroon in 2000.
The match for the third place of the CAN U23, Friday July 7, between Guinea and Mali will have everything of a small final. Both teams will be keen to win their Olympic qualification.
