African Cup of Nations: Good start for the Moroccans

Rabat, Jan. 21 – Morocco trashed Namibia 5-1 in their opening game of the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations to show their true colors.

The Moroccans camped in the Namibian box right after the whistle, as Soufiane Alloudi did the most of a low pass from Chamakh to open the scoring one minute into the first time. Four minutes later, a fine interconnection between Hadji and Alloudi resulted into the second goal of the match with Alloudi slipping the ball past the keeper.

It was a one-way traffic, but the Namibians did not give up the fight as Brendell benefited from a vacuum in the Moroccan central channel to fire through a grass-cutter. The dice was not yet cast.

At the 39th minute, Basser was brought down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco. Tarik Sektioui fired a cracker to the keeper’s right and it is 4-1.

In the second half, the Brave Warriors got frustrated as Moroccans imposed their own pace and controlled the pitch. The result, cards became flying fast and furious, 5 yellow cards in the end.

The Moroccans did not want to finish the game without a fifth goal, the masterpiece of Zerqa at the 73rd minute.

Morocco tops Group A through a better goal average after their comprehensive 5-1 win. Morocco will go into their second game against Guinea high on confidence. Guinea lost before host Ghana 2-1 on Thursday at the same venue.
(Source: MAP)