Morocco did not tremble for its entry into the competition for CAN 2024. As the favorite, it won without forcing against the modest Tanzania (3-0), Wednesday in San Pedro, in group F .
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Big pressure for Morocco as it begins its CAN 2024! Best African team in the Fifa rankings, semi-finalist in the 2022 World Cup, the ambitions must be up to par. Nothing like a smooth start by Tanzania in Group F, Wednesday January 17 in San Pedro.
A seemingly unbalanced match against the 121st nation in the world, the lowest ranked in this CAN. But by being in the last group to enter the fray, Walid Regragui’s men were able to see that this edition, as often, has surprises in store. And paper favorites can struggle on the pitch.
Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria were held to a draw, and Tunisia even lost against modest Namibia. The Atlas Lions therefore approached this match with a lot of humility, even timidity. Despite their undeniable superiority, they long respected their opponent who logically played very low, trying hard to close all the spaces.
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Shy beginnings
During the first half hour, not much to eat, apart from a cross from Ziyech pushed back (18th), and an incursion from Amallah into the area (20th). Very – even too – applied, Morocco lacks inspiration, and is looking for the little madness that would unlock this match.
Tanzania, for its part, clearly plays defense, sometimes a little rough, and tries timid counterattacks. But by making mistakes, Tanzania exposes itself to set pieces and ends up being punished. On a distant free kick from Ziyech, Manula can only push away this floating ball full axis, and Saïss is at the conclusion (30th, 1-0).
It’s deliverance for the Atlas Lions, who finally emerge from their den, and push for cover in this one-sided match. En-Nesyri (33rd), Ziyech (36th, 45th), Ez Abde (39th) try it, without managing to make the break before the break.
The final rush
Tanzania succeeds in its first foray after returning from the locker room, but can do nothing against the solid Moroccan defense. Ziyech continues to shine, hoping that it will eventually work out! If the Galatasaray player was in the light of the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro, it was the young Ez Abde who was the most restless. He plays the game, dribbles, hits… and runs fast, with all the energy of his 22 years. Midfield metronome Azzedine Ounahi, victim of countless fouls, was elected man of the match.
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The Taifa Stars, overwhelmed, continue to multiply their mistakes, and it is logical that Miroshi is excluded for a second yellow, and for his entire work (70th).
And that’s where the game gets carried away, with a flat foot from Ounahi, served by Adli (77th, 2-0), then a volley from the left from En-Nesyri, on a cross from Hakimi ( 80th, 3-0).
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The match is over, and Morocco can savor this great start to the competition, even if the Lions will have to show more bite for the rest, and in particular the shock of Group F against DR Congo on Sunday.