The Atlas lions of Morocco are off on a winning start in the Africa Cup of Nations, as they brushed the Taifa Stars of Tanzania aside 3-0.
The Atlas Lions are the highest-ranked African Nation heading into the tournament, rising to 13 in the FIFA table after reaching the World Cup 2022 semi-finals, OneFootball reports.
Notwithstanding, Morocco have not been crowned African Champions since 1976, and have only reached the final once since where they lost 2-1 to Tunisia in 2004. This year, they hope, will be different with the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and captain Romain Saiss maturing.
Team captain, Romain Saiss secured the lead in the first half which started slowly but soon saw Morocco turn the tide in their favour. Saiss was in the right place to find the back of the net inside the 18 (Eighteen) yard box area after the Tanzanian goalkeeper mishandled Hakim Ziyech’s speculative free kick.
The Galatasaray winger then almost found himself on the scoresheet but Haji Mnoga was a match for his fierce effort towards the bottom corner.
All faint hopes for Tanzania were lost in the 80th minute when Novatus Dismas, the Shaktar Donsek midfielder received a second yellow card for another late challenge, reducing the minnows to 10 men.
Two quick goals laid the game to rest as Ounahi first exchange a nice one-two pass on the edge of the box before finding the back of the net and then setting up Youssef En-Nesyri to finally get his goal.
