Fez – Morocco’s Atlas Lions have won 2-1 in tonight’s game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, leading Group K for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast.
The group-deciding game took place at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The match was attended by thousands of Moroccan football fans who came to show their support for Morocco’s Atlas Lions.
Following tonight’s win, Morocco moved to the top of Group K, with 3 points.
The game started with mixed feelings for both teams. Morocco’s Atlas Lions vied to overturn their recent disappointing results and regain the trust of the Moroccan fans. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana meanwhile sought to return home with an important away victory against Morocco.
Only a few minutes after the game kicked off, Morocco’s Atlas Lions had their first clear chance in front of the South African goalkeeper but the Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri failed to translate the attempt into an early lead.
Looking determined to ditch their setback against the US national team last week, the Moroccan squad began the first minutes by pushing hard against the South African defensive line as they ceaselessly chased the game’s opener.
On the other end, the South African players resorted to swift counter-attacks as they looked to surprise the Moroccan defenses and score an early goal.
Such ambitions were translated into reality as the South African striker Lyle Foster scored the game’s opener in the 8th minute following a quick build-up from the South African squad.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions, looking surprised by this early goal, launched a full-scale attack on the opponents’ defenses, aspiring to end the first half with a morale-boosting equalizer.
But faced with a compact South African defense, the Moroccan team, though having had full dominance over the pitch, lacked the much-needed creativity to turn the missed chances into winning goals.
Having nothing much to discuss, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half, sending both teams to the dressing room to refresh and reorganize their lineups.
As the second half started, Morocco’s Atlas Lions appeared much more energized and motivated to make a much-needed comeback in the game.
Buoyed up by their ecstatic fans, the Moroccan squad launched a full-scale attack on the opponents’ defenses, creating trouble for the South African squad.
The national team’s continuous pressure proved fruitful in the 50th minute, when Sevilla FC striker Youssef En-Nesyri managed to score the game’s equalizer.
Energized by this early comeback, Morocco’s Atlas Lions dominated the play, scoring the second goal in the 87th minute by Ayoub El Kaabi after a brilliant assist from Amine Harit.
As time steadily progressed, the Moroccan team edged closer to sealing a hard-fought victory.
With tonight’s win, Morocco’s football head coach Vahid Halilhdozic may have succeeded, for now at least, in attempting to regain the trust of Moroccan football fans who have been calling for his dismissal ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
