- Morocco beat Tanzania 3-0
- They are favourites for the title
- DR Congo and Zambia drew 1-1
Morocco, semi-finalists of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, began their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on a high with a well worked 3-0 victory over 10-man Tanzania in San Pedro.
Goals from skipper Roman Saiss, Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En Nessyri gave the Atlas Lions a deserved victory in a game they utterly dominated.
Tanzania were reduced to 10 men 20 minutes to time when defender Novatus Miroshi was sent off for a second yellow card, and he will now miss their second group match.
After some cagy opening minutes where both teams struggled to find rhythm, the Moroccans broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when Saiss reacted quickest to tap the ball home after Tanzania keeper Aishi Manula palmed away a swerving freekick from Hakim Ziyech.
The goal ignited the fire for Morocco and they got into the game, with En Nessyri heading over from close range off another Ziyech freekick. Aishi Manula had to make a smart save minutes later to deny Ziyech’s shot from the edge of the box.
Morocco handed advantage
Morocco’s Youssef En Nessyri celebrates his goal. PHOTO/CAF
In the second half, Tanzania’s fight was punctured in the 70th minute when Miroshi received a second yellow card for a harsh challenge and was sent off.
Morocco used the numerical advantage well and they scored two goals in three minutes to cement their win. Ounahi scored with a low shot inside the box after 77 minutes after some brilliant exchange of passes at the edge of the boxz to make it 2-0.
They cemented their lead three minutes later through En Nesyri. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, and the striker being substituted. However, after a lengthy VAR check, with En Nesyri on the bench, the goal was given.
The victory is a massive statement from Morocco, who are looking to clinch the Africa Cup of Nations title for the first time in 40 years.
From their performance at the World Cup, maxny expect them to be contending for the crown in Ivory Coast.
Zambia and DR Congo draw
Action between Zambia and DR Congo. pHOTO/FAZ
Meanwhile in the same Group F, DR Congo and Zambia played to an exciting 1-1 draw. Yohann Wissa scored the leveler for the Congolese, just after Kings Kangwa had given Zambia the lead.
The draw leaves the two sides second and third respectively in the group, Morocco leading after their earlier 3-0 win over Tanzania.
Kangwa had given Zambia the lead in the 23rd minute with a brilliant lobbed effort from distance. Patson Daka started a throw in quick to Jangwa who lofted the ball home with the keeper off his line after he had gone to try win the ball on the left.
But in an exciting duel, Congo levelled matters just three minutes later, Wissa tapping home cleanly from close range after Cedric Bakambu had done well on the right to slap in a low cross.
It had been a fast paced game between the two sides, each attacking in waves. Stopilla Sunzu, the experienced man in Zambia’s defense had to make a brilliant goalline clearance to deny Wissa’s shot from inside the box.
On the other end, Patson Daka stole the ball off Chancel Mbemba and ran into the box, but his final delivery was wanting as it didn’t land on an orange shirt.
In the second half, both sides upped their attacking tempo, but none could get a goal to win the game.
Bakambu and Wissa were constant threats to the Zambian backline but the experience of lanky man Sunzu kept them at bay.
Zambia also had their efforts, Daka especially making inroads, but he couldn’t add the goals for his side.
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