One, TOO – Many Errors From Comoros Aid Morocco’s Course

The Atlas Lions of Morocco have dived to the next round of the AFCON, after a 2-0 win over Comoros Island in group C.

Generally, Comoros gave a good account of themselves, but their inability to take grab scoring chances, and poor defending, helped Morocco’s course.

The men of Vahid Halilhodžić were roaring favourites, but still had to job to do, so as to sail through to the next round.

Comoros started on a good footing, and had a nibble or two at Morocco’s area.

In the earlier exchanges, M’Changama ran into the Lions’ half, putting in a delight of a cross, carefully checked by Hakimi. Hakimi’s interception was vital, as opposition bodies were queuing in from the back post.

Morocco turned the tide at the 16th minute with the game’s opener.

It was Amallah, who took an extra touch that gave him a yard to strike past Ben Boina for one – nil.

37 minutes in, it would have been 2, but El Kaabi tapped wide after doing the hardwork; rounding goalkeeper – Ben Boina.

Soufiane Boufal, man of the match in Morocco’s first game, was proving a handful. He pulled off arguably the skill of the tournament, when he sat down his marker on his backside before drilling it across, but El Kaabi couldn’t connect, at the 52nd minute.

Two minutes later, El Kaabi came closer again with a diving header, but it went just wide.

Comoros were nearly the architect of their own down fall, when Boufal lashed on an unforced error to thread a ball through for – second half substitute Fajr, who fired wide, after the half hour mark.

The onslaught kept coming the way of Comoros – first with Hakimi’s shot that was saved by Ben Boina, and then, exceptionally, three Atlas Lions with the goal at their mercy, couldn’t force the ball in.

With the clock clicking out (83), Morocco finally got a clear chance for their second. It was a penalty that came as a result of some hesitation, and Zakaria touched a part of the ball, before going down under contact.

En Nesyri stepped up and goalkeeper Ben Boina pulled one out of the top drawer, to keep him out.

A goal scored by Zakaria, first adjudged to be offside by referee Selim Sadok, was given after VAR consultation.

Morocco hold a strong lead in group C of the tourney, while awaiting Ghana – Gabon.