Rabat – The Moroccan national futsal team beat its Angolan counterpart 5-2 tonight at the Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat as part of the first match day of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The game was broadcast live at 8 p.m. on the SNRT group’s third channel, Arryadia.
Contributing to Morocco’s goals were Idriss El Fenni, Soufian Charraoui, and Anas El Ayyane.
In this 7th edition championship, Morocco was drawn in Group A alongside Angola, Ghana, and Zambia. Morocco’s second group stage match will be against Ghana on April 13, then Zambia on April 15.
The Atlas Lions, who are placed 8th in the Futsal World Ranking and are the defending African champions, are strong favorites over the 46th-ranked Angolans. The title-chasing Atlas Lions recently engaged in a series of friendly games to prepare for this continental showpiece.
“We have a lot of players, a deep bench and a quality B team. We’re playing at home and have no margin for error. I’ve decided to rely on my regular starters and the players I rely on,” said the Moroccan head coach Hicham Dguig during the pre-match press conference on April 9.
Qualification for the next World Cup is the second major prize up for grabs in this CAN, in addition to the continental title. This tournament’s two finalists and third-placed team will be representing Africa at the 2024 World Cup, which is slated to take place in Uzbekistan from September 14 to October 6.
Morocco won the last two editions of the AFCON Futsal in 2016 and 2020. Egypt won the first three editions in 1996, 2000, and 2004, while Libya won the 2008 tournament.
Zambia beat Ghana 5-2 in the opening match of this 7th edition of the continental championship today at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
Patrick Banda, Francis Chinyama, Wiseman Phiri, Mbalika Mwaliteta and Jackson Simwami scored Zambia’s goals, while Emmanuel Pako Nakotey and Philip Nii Boye scored for Ghana.
