AFCON Daily: The Atlas Lions see off Tanzania, as the points are shared between the DR Congo and Zambia
In the latest edition of AFCON Daily, we take a look at Morocco’s emphatic 3-0 win against Tanzania, and the DR Congo’s tightly contested 1-1 draw with Zambia as Matchday one of the group stages concluded.
We also preview today’s enticing contests in group A, as Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau meet for the first time in AFCON, and tournament hosts Ivory Coast face Nigeria. Seven-time champions Egypt also take on Ghana in group B, a pivotal match for both sides.
Morocco 3-0 Tanzania
From the offset Morocco took control of the game and dominated the first half in both possession and chances. The Moroccan midfield made up of Sofyan Amrabat and Selim Amallah were dominant in the centre of the pitch.
The first goal came from a set-piece effort from winger Hakim Ziyech which was parried by the Tanzanian keeper Manula but straight into the path of the Moroccan captain, Roman Saïss who slotted it in from point blank range.
Moroccan Captain Roman Saïss celebrating his goal
Despite the Moroccans dominating the first half, they actually struggled to break down a defiant Tanzanian defence who were flying into tackles, making it hard for the Atlas Lions to keep their attacking play flowing.
This theme carried on for the first part of the second half. The Tanzanians even had a couple moments where they were putting pressure on the Moroccan backline, but to no avail.
Eventually the strong, and in the end reckless challenges and resultant yellow cards for Tanzania led to an inevitable sending off.
Novatus Miroshi was given his second yellow of the match after smashing into Azzedine Ounahi. This then opened the floodgates for the Moroccans who put on a show with some of their forward play.
Ounahi celebrating Morocco’s second goal with his teammates
Ounahi finished off a well worked move that demonstrated why Morocco are one of the favourites for the tournament.
The last goal was also impressively worked and finished by Morocco’s main goal threat, Youssef En-Nesyri.
Morocco’s five substitutions in the second half displayed their depth and quality. Sofiane Boufal and Amine Adli in particular showed real class when coming on to help their side see off the Taifa Stars.
DR Congo 1-1 Zambia
This was set up to be an exciting contest between fairly evenly matched sides.
However, Lés Leopards will feel they missed an opportunity here. Throughout the match the Congo were the better side, creating more chances and seeing more of the ball.
The Zambia took the lead early on after a mix up between the Congolese goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi and his defenders. Zambian attacking midfielder, Kings Kangwa and striker Patson Daka took the initiative when Mpasi came off his line to clear a long ball. Quickly capitalising on the confusion Daka ran over to take the throw in to Kangwa, who lobbed the helpless goalkeeper and evaded the flaying Congolese defenders.
A poor goal to concede.
Despite this, the leopards bounced back soon after. Yoanne Wissa put away a neatly worked move involving Cedric Bakambu.
For the rest of the game the Congolese continued to put pressure on the Zambian goal but a part from a penalty shout in the 62nd minute, which was reviewed and consequently not given, there were no other rewards for the strong performance put in by the DRC.
This was a game they deserved to win, will they go on to regret those missed chances?
Max Flanagan
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Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea Bissau (14:00 GMT)
Matchday two group games kick off with the first-ever AFCON meeting between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
The Equatoguinean’s earned a hard-fought point in their 1-1 draw against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their opener, while the Bissau-Guineans slipped to a 2-0 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast in the tournament opener.
Equatorial Guinea’s Pablo Ganet running with the ball against Nigeria
Equatorial Guinea are unbeaten in their last 11 matches and sit level on points with Nigeria in Group A, both teams two points behind group leaders Ivory Coast. If they were to secure three points in this fixture, it would all but secure their place in the Round of 16.
Guinea Bissau sit bottom of Group A after their opening day loss to the hosts. They are winless in their last 10 AFCON games (D3, L7), and have failed to score in their last eight AFCON games, a run stretching back to 2017.
However, the last meeting between these sides ended in a 3-0 Guinea Bissau win in March 2022, and with tournament survival on the line, the Djurtus will do everything they can to get a result.
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria (17:00 GMT)
The hosts can become the first team to book their place in the knockout stages with a win against Nigeria, while the Super Eagles will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-1 opening day draw against Equatorial Guinea.
The starting players for the Ivory Coast in their opening match
The Ivory Coast are looking to win their opening two AFCON group games for the first time since 2013, which was the edition in which their opponents Nigeria last won the tournament.
Sébastien Haller remains absent as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, meaning Jean-Philippe Krasso, who’s stunning goal sealed their 2-0 victory against Guinea Bissau will lead their attack.
The Super Eagles will be spearheaded by Victor Osimhen, whose goal against Equatorial Guinea was his first at AFCON. However, his goal came from six shots, and he missed a great chance when through on goal 15 minutes from time.
Nigeria will need their talisman in clinical form, as a loss could put them at risk of a potential first group stage exit since 1982.
Alhassan Yusuf, who impressed on his AFCON debut will miss the game with a thigh injury and will likely be replaced by Southampton’s Joe Aribo.
As the hosts and with their opening day victory, Les Éléphants will go in as favourites. Nonetheless, this is a must-see West African heavyweight clash.
Egypt vs Ghana (20:00 GMT)
Record seven-time AFCON champions Egypt were saved by a 97th Mohamed Salah penalty in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Mozambique on Match day one.
Ghana, who currently sit bottom of Group B, suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde courtesy of a 92nd minute Garry Mendes Rodrigues winner.
The loss means the Ghana are now winless in their last five AFCON matches, their longest-ever winless run in the tournament. More importantly, a loss to The Pharaohs would put The Black Stars at risk of exiting at the group stage in consecutive AFCONs.
Mohamed Salah against Mozambique
However, the four-time champions will be boosted by the return of Mohammed Kudus, who should feature for Chris Hughton’s men after returning to full team training on Monday.
Egypt will be boosted by their recent record against Ghana, winning three of their last four encounters, most notably a 1-0 victory in the 2010 final.
That was the last time the Egyptians lifted the continental crown, and if they hope to get their eighth, and Salah’s first AFCON title, three points in this fixture are vital.
Emile Nuh
