CAN 2023 (Q): Morocco falls in South Africa, Equatorial Guinea validates its qualification
Morocco lost to South Africa (1-2) this Saturday, on the occasion of the 5th day of the CAN 2023 qualifiers. In Malabo, Equatorial Guinea took over Tunisia ( 2-1) and qualifies for the final phase.
Both already qualified for CAN 2023, Morocco and South Africa faced each other this Saturday at Soccer City, on the fifth day of the qualifiers. A meeting ended with a victory for Bafana-Bafana, who won with a score of 2-1.
In this highly contested clash, it was the South Africans who stood out first with the opening score in the 6th minute. Faulty on an innocuous cross from Tau, Munir had a complete hole and allowed coach Hugo Broos’s team to take the lead (1-0, 6e).
Always aggressive against the Atlas Lions who were completely out of the game, the locals scored their second goal of the game when Lepasa appeared to propel the ball into the back of the net, pushed back by Munir on a shot from Mayambela (2-0, 49th) . In agony, the Cherifian Kingdom managed to save the honor thanks to a burst of genius from Hakim Ziyech who reduced the score with a superb left shot into the opposite net (2-1, 60e).
Morocco therefore bows and leaves first place in Group K to South Africa. The Atlas Lions could, however, regain their leadership position in the event of a victory against Liberia next September, on the last day of the qualifying phases.
Equatorial Guinea offers its qualification
Mission accomplished for Equatorial Guinea. The Djurtus validated their ticket for the final phase of CAN 2023 after their victory against Tunisia this Saturday. Opposed to the Eagles of Carthage in a match counting for the fifth day of the qualifying phases, the Equatorial Guineans won with a score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by striker Emilio Nsue from the penalty spot (85th).
A victory which allows the selection of Equatorial Guinea to take the lead in this group J, ahead of the Tunisians, already qualified. Botswana and Libya, third and fourth respectively, bring up the rear.