Atlas Lions progress to the knockout stage

Morocco advanced to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in Group C.

Selim Amallah fired in a loose ball to open the scoring, and Zakaria Aboukhlal slotted in to complete the win for the Atlas Lions in the last minute.

They will be far from satisfied with a wasteful performance which included a missed penalty by Youssef En-Nesyri.

Comoros keeper Salim Ben Boina put in a hugely impressive display but could not prevent a defeat for the debutants.

Morocco have maximum points from their opening two games but were sloppy in front of goal — to the obvious frustration of coach Vahid Halilhodzic on the touchline.

The North Africans deserved their lead through a well-taken goal from Standard Liege midfielder Amallah in a crowded box and should have doubled their advantage before half-time.

Nayef Aguerd was unlucky to see his towering header from a corner cannon off the underside of the crossbar before the ball was scrambled away.

In the second-half they continued to dominate possession and created opportunity after opportunity, but were still unable to capitalise.

Ayoub El Kaabi, substitute En-Nesyri, Amallah and others all wasted chances in front of goal, while Boina came into his own in the latter stages of the game.

He denied Morocco three times in one goalmouth scramble when the Atlas Lions seemed certain to score.

Ten minutes before time the Coelacanths keeper brought down Aboukhlal, but he saved the subsequent penalty and blocked several other chances as the minutes ticked away. — BBC Sport

Related Posts

MR AND MISS ALBINISM: IT’S MORE THAN JUST A BEAUTY PAGEANT

Langalakhe Mabena AS the country gears up for the Mr and Miss Albinism Zimbabwe 2026 grand finale, model Thabo Sibanda is emerging as one of the young voices championing awareness,…

Fire-hit Fairy Café property set for rates relief

Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has granted a rates reprieve to the owners of a central business district property that was completely destroyed by fire earlier…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

×
×