Morocco Edges South Africa 2-1 in Tight AFCON 2023 Qualifier Opener

Ayoub El Kaâbi and Youssef En-Nesyri saved the honor on Thursday evening by scoring the two goals that allowed Morocco to earn three points at home. The Atlas Lions were surprised by South Africa’s first counterattack in the 7th minute. The score will remain unchanged until the return to the locker room where Vahid Halilhodzic made several changes to avoid the performance given against the United States.

Thus, in midfield, Ilyass Chaïr and Aymane Barkouk made their debut as starters, replacing Azzedine Ounahi and Adel Taarabt. Youssef En-nesyri was placed in the attack line, and the coach also abandoned his usual 3-5-2 for the 4-1-3-2 allowing his players to dominate ball possession even if they were caught off guard by their opponents in the 7th minute.

Disappointed but pumped up, the Moroccan players reacted through several shots. In vain. It was on the return from the locker room that the seemingly impregnable South African defense finally cracked in the 51st minute, thanks to a superb Amrabat, Chaïr, En-nesyri combination. Driven by this equalizer, the Atlas Lions will multiply the shots in search of a 2nd goal.

It was done in the 87th minute thanks to Ayoub El Kaâbi who volleyed home a cross from Amine Harit. The 2nd goal comes to the great relief of the players, but also of the supporters who exploded with joy. This is the second time that Morocco has beaten South Africa. The first time was in 2019 in Egypt (1-0).

This first match of Group K should allow the Atlas Lions to regain the confidence of their public. It is halfway recovered thanks to the formidable work accomplished by the players who gave everything despite the advantage of the South Africans in the first minutes of the game. After this victory against the Bafana Bafana, the Atlas Lions will have to reassure the supporters of their good form by delivering a more sensational match next Monday against Liberia.