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Morocco has won the game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, with Mbarek Boussoufa scoring a goal a few minutes before the end of the match, played in Cairo’s Al Salam stadium.
After defeating Namibia (1-0), thanks to an own goal, and winning against Cote d’Ivoire (1-0), the Atlas Lions managed to top Group D, with 9 points.
A few moments before the start of the first half of Morocco vs. South Africa game, the Atlas Lions’ squad was revealed. Moroccan goalkeeper Munir Mohand Mohamedi is back to the field after he was replaced by Girona FC Yassine Bounou during the last two Africa Cup of Nations’ matches.
The Atlas Lions started strong, trying their luck for the first time during the 5th minute of the game. After Moroccan-Dutch midfielder Hakim Ziyech passed the ball to striker Youssef En-Nesyri, he was given an offside.
A heated match between the Bafana Bafana and the Atlas Lions
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana were more determined to defend their six-yard box, while the Atlas Lions remained cautious.
During the 14th minute of the game, South Africa managed to perform its first attempt to score, kicking the ball near the net. A minute later, a ball kicked by Hakim Ziyech was blocked by the South African goalkeeper.
In the 19th minute of the game, Younes Belhanda kicked a free kick, without being able to score. Another kick was stopped by the South African goalkeeper, after Achraf Hakimi tried to invade the Bafana Bafana six-yard box.
There was mounting pressure on the Bafana Bafana, who successfully stopped the Atlas Lions from scoring, during the first half of the game.
Around the 34th minute of the game, South Africa delivered its second chance, thanks to Percy Tau who plays for Union SG, on loan from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, and the South African national team.
The Atlas Lions were quick to counter, with a ball that was handled by En-Nesyri. Unfortunately, the ball hit at the wrong place, preventing the Lions from scoring a goal.
At the start of the second half, South Africa tried to put pressure on the Moroccan national team, but without being able to score. At the 53rd minute, Morocco's coach Herve Renard replaced Karim El Ahmadi by Youssef Ait Bennasser.
However, the best chance was that of Ashraf Hakimi who kicked the ball during the 63rd minute, which ended up hitting the bar.
At the 67th minute, Youssef En-Nesyri lost a chance to score after he was alone in front of the South African goalkeeper. The same player returned during the 73rd minute with a header after a side pass from Nordin Amrabet, but the South African goalkeeper managed to catch the ball.
In the 73rd minute, Nabil Dirrar was set to replace Nasser Mezraoui. At the 88th minute, Hervé Renard brought Faycal Fajr in instead of Ziyech.
