CAN 2022: Morocco narrowly wins against Ghana

Ended :

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Ended :

For this first Group C match, Morocco is starting its CAN in the best possible way with a 1-0 success against Ghana. The deliverance came from Boufal scorer at the end of the match. Ghana has been too timid to hope for anything. Even if Paintsil’s strike before the last quarter of an hour almost misled Bono’s vigilance. The Atlas Lions therefore logically win in this oh so tight match!

Ended :

Joshua Bondo whistles the end of the match and sends the 22 actors back to the locker room.

90 + 1 min. – Used for Ghana:

What a Wollacott parade! The Ghanaian doorman stops Paintsil’s strike with both fists! The goal of the break was not far away.

90 min. – Change:

Entrance of Boakye instead of Partey.

89 min. – Change:

Rahimi comes into play in place of Aboukhlal while Ounahi is replaced by Amrabat.

88 min. :

The spirits are heating up in the surface with Aboukhlal and Amartey who are in the duel.

86 min. – Change:

Fatawu Issahaku takes Paintsil’s place and Kyereh returns to Sulemana’s profit. And finally, Tetteh replaces Jordan Ayew.

85 min. :

Hakimi tumbles on the right but get to the ground by the defense of Ghana. The referee leaves the advantage before returning to the fault.

82 min. – Goal for Morocco:

Boufal opens the scoring! Aboukhlal receives the leather on the right side of the area with a little success before serving Boufal who takes over in first intention of the right! It’s unstoppable and Wollacott can’t do anything.

79 min. :

Note that André Ayew returned to the field with a bandage around his head.

77 min. – Change:

First change with the exit of Louza for Tissoudali.

76 min. :

Ayew remains on the ground after this shock during the free kick.

74 min. :

Ghana get an interesting new situation with a free kick to the left from 25 yards. Struck by Thomas, Ayew fell out but the player struggled to get up.

72 min. – Used for Ghana:

What a stop for Bono! Paintsil receives the ball at the entrance of the surface and arms a curled right which forces the goalkeeper to take out the ball with the opposite hand!

70 min. :

Hakimi gets the foul along the touchline about 25 yards from Wollacott’s goals. But no one is receiving this free kick from Louza.

68 min. :

Nice ball from Yiadom in the box after a ladle on the left but Bono anticipates and captures the leather.

66 min. :

Only 1 shot on target so far in this game which lacks speed and movement.

64 min. :

The free kick slightly to the left by Boufal is pushed back to the near post.

63 min. – Yellow card for Ayew:

André Ayew is cautioned for a foul on Boufal.

61 min. :

A complicated meeting for Ghanaians who still cannot afford real opportunities.

58 min. :

Aboukhlal receives the leather in the axis but Amartey forces the Moroccan to move to the left and his shot goes to the left of the frame.

57 min. :

Ayew recovers the leather on the right before crossing low to the ground in the direction of his brother but the defense clears for a corner. This gives nothing.

55 min. :

The “Black Stars” find it difficult to project themselves forward and face a well-grouped Moroccan rearguard.

53 min. :

Paintsil recovers the ball after the corner kick and crosses the whole field before being caught near the surface.

52 min. – Occasion for Morocco:

First thrill in the spans of the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium! Boufal receives the ball in the area after a cross from the right but the defense is vigilant and clears for a corner.

51 min. :

Amartey goes back for Wollacott and the Ghanaian goalkeeper is scared and clears in touch.

49 min. :

New set-piece for the Atlas Lions. Again, the latter lacks precision and this is rejected by Ayew.

47 min. :

Morocco gets a free kick slightly to the right at 30 meters. Struck by Boufal, Partey clears in touch.

46 min. :

Here we go again ! Ghana kick off the second half.

Half time:

A first half poor in opportunity with only 1 shot on target in total. The two teams are well grouped behind and try to make a difference on set pieces. The two teams will have to be more precise in front of goal to hope to win.

Half time:

Joshua Bondo sends the 22 actors back to the locker room.

45 + 1 min. :

1 additional minute is announced.

44 min. :

Paintsil receives the ball on the right before transplanting in the axis and trying his luck near the surface but his shot from the right goes very far.

42 min. :

Both teams seem to be suffering from the heat at the end of the first period when the thermometer reads 28 °!

39 min. :

Morocco gets a very good free kick on the left of the area! Struck by Boufal, Saiss is not far from recovering the leather but it spins out of goal.

37 min. :

The 22 players play on a false rhythm and wait for the opponent’s error to start a counter-attack.

34 min. :

Nice number of Amallah! The midfielder recovers the leather in the central circle before turning around, hitting and transplanting in the axis on his good foot but his shot passes slightly to the right of Wollacott’s cages.

33 min. :

Hit by Thomas from the right, the leather goes in the right direction but it passes over Bono’s cages.

32 min. :

Ayew gets a good free kick slightly to the left of the area 25 yards after a duel with Saiss.

31 min. :

Vahid Halilhodžić’s men put a lot of pressure on the “Black Stars” who have a harder time getting out of their camp.

29 min. :

Still no real chances after almost 30 minutes of play with only 2 shots to put on Morocco’s counter.

26 min. :

New set-piece for the Atlas Lions but it is too long and Wollacott can calmly clear in 6 meters.

24 min. :

The free kick does nothing and Bono finally gets the leather back.

23 min. – Yellow card for Masina:

Masina is cautioned for a late tackle on Paintsil.

22 min. :

Ghana gets a very good free kick on the left of the box but Baba Rahman’s shot flies into the sky over Yaoundé.

20 min. :

Sulemana steals the ball from Hakimi and runs along the sideline on the left before being caught by Saiss.

18 min. :

Well hit at the penalty spot, the ball is finally returned after an obstruction from Saiss.

17 min. – Yellow card for Djiku:

First warning for Djiku after a late intervention on Aboukhlal.

15 min. :

Sulemana made the mistake on the right of the box. This offers an interesting situation but this free kick hit by Louza is deflected for a corner.

14 min. :

Morocco get a free kick to the left about 35 yards along the touchline but Ayew clears the ball with a header.

12 min. :

Thomas loses the ball in his court and sees Aboukhlal try his luck from afar! Wollacott captures leather in two stages.

09 min. :

The two formations try to project themselves quickly forward but this still lacks precision.

07 min. :

Hakimi gets a first corner for the “Atlas Lions” after a cross blocked by Baba Rahman. Saiss and Aguerd get in the way of the penalty spot and the ball goes 6 meters.

06 min. :

At the start of the meeting, the Moroccans have not yet managed to come out of their camp properly. These are taken by a big pressing from Ghana.

04 min. :

Thomas gets a first free kick in the axis about 30 meters after a stroller from Louza in the back. Played at 2, it is deflected for a corner which gives nothing.

02 min. :

First foray into the Moroccan surface with Ayew who gets a corner. This one is cleared by the defense.

01 min. :

Let’s go ! Moroccans kick off!

00 min. :

The kick-off is imminent at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.

00 min. :

The Ghanaians will be aligned in 4-4-2 with: Wollacott – Baba Rahman – Amartey – Djiku – Yiadom – Paintsil – Iddrisu Baba – Partey – Sulemana – Ayew – Ayew (C).

00 min. :

The Moroccan coach opted for a 3-4-3 with: Bono – Mmaee – Masina – Aguerd – Hakimi – Saiss (C) – Ounahi – Amallah – Aboukhlal – Boufal – Louza.

00 min. :

It should also be remembered that Chelsea striker Hakim Ziyech was not called up by the Moroccan coach.

00 min. :

The confrontations between the two formations remain rare. Apart from the match played last year (1 – 0 for Morocco with El Yamiq scorer), the last meeting dated from 2008 with a success for Ghana!

00 min. :

A huge blow for Vahid Halilhodžić with the presence of Covid 19 cases in his workforce. Indeed, three players would be positive. This would concern the Moroccan attack.

00 min. :

The Moroccans have won it only once, it was in 1976. They were also eliminated in the round of 16 during the Egyptian edition with a loss on penalties against Benin. .

00 min. :

A bit of history now. The Ghanaians have won the competition 4 times (1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982) and remain on a 1/8 final in the last edition with a loss to Tunisia on penalties.

00 min. :

The task promises to be complicated for Ghanaians. Apart from the setback against Algeria, Morocco remained on an impressive unbeaten streak of 28 games! The latest? A friendly match against Gabon (2 – 3) on October 15, 2019!

00 min. :

Milovan Rajevac’s men played 10 games last year and they have a mixed record with 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses.

00 min. :

The Moroccans show real defensive solidity in 2021. The goalkeepers of the national team have conceded only 5 goals in 21 official matches! Even on the offensive side, the 28th nation in the world has an impressive record with 49 goals scored in 21 games, for an average of 2.33 goals per game.

00 min. :

Ghanaians and Moroccans also managed to qualify for the third round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. The “Blacks Stars” finished first in their group ahead of South Africa, as did Morocco ahead of Guinea-Bissau.

00 min. :

Ghana, meanwhile, remains on a defeat in a CAN preparation match. A 3-0 setback against Algeria on January 5.

00 min. :

Before entering this competition, the “Atlas Lions” took part in the Arab Cup. Vahid Halilhodžić’s men lost on penalties (3 – 5) in the quarter-finals against the future winner of the competition, Algeria. Before that, the Moroccans remained on a convincing group stage.