Morocco won against Tanzania this Wednesday, January 17 for its first group match in Group F (3-0). Captain Romain Saïss opened the scoring in the first half before Azzedine Ounahi doubled the lead. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the third goal of the match.
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From our special correspondent in San Pedro,
In San Pedro, the largest cocoa port in the world, Morocco and its enormous sign on its back launched its African Cup of Nations against the modest Tanzania team (third final phase in its history), led by its captain Mbwana Aly Samatta.
Before the entry into Group F, only Senegal really held its position as favorite by easily beating Gambia (3-0). The reigning African champions ensured, and even showed the world their new pearl Lamine Camara, just 20 years old, author of a double.
The Morocco of Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech and Yassine Bounou had to start the competition without a hitch, just to hold their place. The Atlas Lions, announced as the biggest favorites of the competition, will undoubtedly be the subject of all the comments since their semi-final in the World Cup in Qatar.
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In the Laurent-Pokou stadium, named after the Ivorian and Rennes legend of the 1970s, the Atlas Lions opened the scoring thanks to captain Romain Saïss, who scored a goal for his fourth CAN for the occasion. ‘in a row (30th). Hakim Ziyech first launched a floating shot from the left from a free kick, which surprised the Tanzanian goalkeeper, forced to push back into the axis. Saïss concluded from the left.
At the very start of the match, Youssef En-Nesyri missed the opener, his left-footed shot went off the mark (9th). In the second half, the Sevilla FC striker missed a second time on a crushed rebound right in front of the Tanzanian goalkeeper (51st). Hero of an entire people during the 2022 World Cup, En-Nesyri sent the Atlas Lions to the quarter-finals with the only goal of the match with a header against Portugal.
It was finally Azzedine Ounahi who doubled the lead in the 70th minute, with a low right shot. The third goal was finally signed by En-Nesyri, ten minutes later.
Morocco quietly entered the competition against a Tanzania team, reduced to ten at the end of the match, which was never able to put Walid Regragui’s men in doubt.
Even with this first victory, life will not be easy for the Moroccan leaders in Ivory Coast, who hope to lift the trophy forty-five years after the last coronation in their country. This is only the beginning of a long journey before a possible second coronation.
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