Atlas Lions eliminate Algeria from CHAN qualifiers

(MAP) – Fes, May 19 – Moroccan National Football Team won over the Algerian side 3-1 on penalties, on Saturday, to book their ticket to the final round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers of locally-based players.

The Atlas Lions took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to a goal of Mohamed Madihi, but Algeria’s Nassim Dahhouch equalized eight minutes before final whistle. With a 1-1 draw in the first leg, in Kolea (Algeria), the two sides were forced into penalty shootouts that gave victory to Morocco.

Morocco will lock horns with Libya, which qualified for next round over Tunisia. The Libyan team had got a bye following the withdrawal of Egypt from the tournament, slated for February 22 through March 8, 2009 in Cote d’Ivoire.