Morocco faced DR Congo (1-1) on Sunday, at the San Pedro stadium, in the clash of the 2nd day of Group F of CAN 2024. The two teams will play their qualification in the round of 16 during the Last match.
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Morocco will have to wait to validate its qualification in the round of 16. The Atlas Lions were held in check by the DR Congo, Sunday January 21, in San Pedro, during the second day of group F of the African Cup Nations (CAN).
Read alsoDuels to follow, possible scenarios… what you need to know before the 3rd day
When it entered the fray against modest Tanzania, Morocco took a long time to get into the match. This time, against a much more biting DR Congo, there is no question of letting doubt settle in. On the first ball, the Lions rush in front of the Congolese goal, but En-Nesyri’s header is narrowly diverted by Mpasi (1st).
After a long pause to repair the referee’s headset, Ziyech takes the corner. Hakimi’s right volley this time leaves the Congolese goalkeeper no chance (1-0, 6th). Mbemba tries to respond, also from a corner, but his recovery misses (12th).
A penalty for nothing
Confident – too much? – the Atlas Lions become more muddled, while the Leopards chase the score. The first period gets bogged down in a false rhythm, chopped up by mistakes more than by opportunities.
On a new Congolese corner, Mbemba is well placed, but fails to catch the deflected ball (32nd). After a long break to treat Ilonga, who had a head injury, and to consult the VAR, the referee awarded a penalty to the Leopards for a handball from Amallah on the same action. Bakambu takes care of it, but his shot hits Bounou’s post directly (42nd).
Good start from Morocco then it became more complicated… The Atlas Lions can thank Bakambu for the missed penalty. #MARRDC
— Nabil Djellit (@Nabil_djellit) January 21, 2024
Nothing more to eat during the very long stoppages in play. The Leopards cannot get past the solid defense of the Lions, where Aguerd rules the roost, compensating for a sometimes overwhelmed Saïss.
Sleeping Lions
After the break, the Congolese seem determined to come back. Bakambu tries it and gets a corner, which Batubinsika is very close to converting (47th).
One action and that’s it, the match falls back into boredom like in the first half. Changes, mistakes, fresh breaks… that’s about it. If the spectators are not far from falling asleep, this is also the case for the Moroccan players. Served by Elia, Silas with a flat foot takes charge of bringing them back to reality (76th, 1-1). Logical punishment for the Atlas Lions, who also have the merit of offering a more lively last quarter of an hour.
The Leopards push to come back against injured and overwhelmed Lions. But despite the attempts of Moutoussamy or Mayele, the score remains there.
Read alsoFind the classification of group F
The two teams will play their qualification on Wednesday in the last match: Morocco, still leader of group F, against Zambia, DR Congo against Tanzania.
