AFCON 2021: Morocco Books Knockout Ticket After Comoros Victory
Selim Amallah and Zakaria Aboukhlal were on target as Morocco secured a hard fought 2-0 victory against Comoros in Group C of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Morocco dominated the match early on but struggled to find a way past the brilliant Comoros goalkeeper Salime Boina. However, midfielder Amallah opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a finish from close range.
PSG defender Achraf Hakimi placed a brilliant low cross into the Comoros box which was not dealt with, giving Amallah time and space to fire in the opener.
Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd saw his glancing header come off the woodwork, while Ayoub El Kaabi missed an opportunity to score. The striker was played through on goal ,however, he lost his footing while rounding the goalkeeper which allowed the Islanders to clear their lines.
Morocco continued to dominate, while Comoros played on the counter-attack. Boina denied Sofiane Boufal with an instinctive save inside the box. Moments later, he pushed away Hakimi’s goal bound free-kick to the frustration of coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who made changes late on as they looked for the second goal.
Boina saved a Youssef En-Nesyri penalty to keep his side in the game, sending the supporters into a frenzy. As Morocco pilled on the pressure, substitute Zakaria Aboukhlal secured the victory with a stoppage time goal, booking the Atlas Lions’ place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Morocco also advanced to the knockout stage with a game to spare.
“We won and naturally we are happy, but we would have liked to do better. It was a difficult game,” Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic. “It would have been nice if we had created more goal-scoring opportunities. I believe we will be more efficient in the next game.”
“I will tell my players to keep hold of the ball and create more chances. We didn’t use the many chances we had. I had several players who are recovering from injuries and need more time to be in the desired shape.”
