The four African teams qualified for the Olympic Games, in the men’s category, were on deck this Saturday, July 27 for the second day. Only Egypt took the three points while Morocco, Guinea and Mali lost.
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With one day left in the first round of the Olympic tournament, optimism is not waning for the African teams involved. The quarter-finals are far away, but still possible for the four representatives of the African continent.
Despite a surprise defeat (1-2) against Ukraine, Morocco keeps its destiny in its own hands and could validate its qualification in the event of a victory against Iraq, which had beaten… Ukraine (2-1) on the first day. In this group B, the four teams have one victory each after Argentina’s success over Iraq (3-1), in the other match of the day. The Ukrainians had opened the scoring through Dmytro Kryzkiv (22nd), but Morocco equalized on a penalty converted by Soufiane Rahimi (61st), after a foul committed by Volodymyr Saliuk, sent off on the action after viewing the video assistance. But the Lionceaux will be trapped in added time by Ihor Krasnopir (90+8).
Guinea almost out
Egypt, the only winning team (1-0 over Uzbekistan), has a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals. With its draw (0-0) on the first day, the young Pharaohs team has a cushion of four points and a draw against Spain, who qualified, is enough for it to reach the quarter-finals.
The task is almost impossible for Guinea, beaten for the second time in two days by France (1-0). Kaba Diawara’s men resisted the attacks of the Bleuets for a long time before cracking on a header from French defender Kiliann Sildillia (76ee). Naby Keïta and his younger brothers are last in their group and must beat the United States while hoping for a victory for France, already qualified, over New Zealand on the third day.
For Mali, also beaten by Japan (1-0), the mission will be to win against Paraguay, winner (4-2) of Israel who had held their own against the Aiglons (1-1).