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The Moroccans therefore continue their journey in this CAN 2022, since they beat – with difficulty 2-1 – Malawi. The PSG defender delivered his own in the 70th minute.
Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi celebrates his winning goal against Malawi.
AFP
Morocco ended up eliminating the amazing Malawi (2-1) and its striker Mhango in a thrilling round of 16 African Cup, lit by another sumptuous direct free kick from Achraf Hakimi, Tuesday in Yaoundé.
Vahid Halilhodzic’s team have been full of confidence ahead of their promising quarter-final against Ivory Coast or Egypt, who meet on Wednesday (5 p.m.).
The “Flames” of Malawi dreamed of being there, after the fantastic goal of Gabadinho Mhango (7th) and the incredible saves of Charles Thom, but Youssef En-Nesyri, after having harvested a lot, equalized just before half-time (45th+2).
Then, as against Gabon (2-2), Hakimi slammed a new free kick in the skylight (70th), with the same goal from the Ahidjo stadium and almost from the same place.
These scares can serve as a crash test for ‘Coach Vahid’. His “Atlas Lions” have always played, looked for combinations, and created a lot of chances (14 in the first period) to come back.
Breaking out of this trap by playing football will build confidence ahead of a quarter-final against another African giant.
En-Nesyri finally scored
In other good news, En-Nesyri finally scored, rewarding Halilhodzic’s progressive management. Recovering, the Sevillian played 20 minutes in the second game, missing a penalty, then a whole game against Gabon.
He missed a lot before finally scoring with a header under the bar (45th + 2).
The Moroccans took time to recover from the 30-meter shot into the top corner of Gabadinho Mhango, who deserves his Brazilian nickname on this tasty trajectory.
This flash thrilled the public, who took the side of the “little” Malawians, and hummed with pleasure with each ball touched by Mhango.
An acceleration of the winger of the Orlando Pirates of Soweto, concluded by a strike a little too crossed, delighted his new public (23rd).
A joyful atmosphere welcome after the drama of Olembe the day before, where eight people died in a stampede.
On his bench, Vahid Halilhodzic was not very happy, he, in his superb fushia sweater, which he fell at the break.
Malawi has gone too far
But Malawi retreated, retreated, and relied on the gloves of Thom, royal on a first free kick from Hakimi that he will seek in his skylight (28th), or on a new shot from the side of Paris SG which he diverts on his post, followed by a parade against Sofiane Boufal in the same minute (41st)!
Too bad for the courage of the Malawians and the beauty of the game, that the small southern African country had evolved to ten at the time of the equalizer. Micium Mhone, injured, was being treated on the sidelines. He was substituted just before halftime.
The show dropped a little bit in intensity in the second half, but Malawi came out stronger and Morocco comforted.
(AFP)