Despite firing their coach on the identical day, the host nation, Ivory Coast, have managed to safe a spot within the final 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Zambia in Group F on Wednesday performed an important position, making certain that Ivory Coast completed among the many prime 4 third-place groups and certified for the knockout stage. Despite Ivory Coast’s 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea of their remaining group recreation on Monday, Zambia’s loss left them with two factors after three video games, one level fewer than Ivory Coast.
Morocco’s win set off celebrations in Abidjan, the biggest metropolis in Ivory Coast, the place there have been fireworks, supporters cheering and followers driving round honking their automobile horns.
Morocco captain Hakim Ziyech turned their hero once they scored the one purpose throughout 4 video games on Wednesday, firing within the rebound after Lawrence Mulenga saved Ayoub El Kaabi’s effort within the thirty seventh minute.
The purpose was instantly celebrated by the Ivorian followers in attendance in San Pedro and people who heard about it on the different match between Tanzania and Congo in Korhogo. That recreation ended 0-0.
Ziyech and their teammates ran to have fun on the sideline, the place they made a coronary heart signal for coach Walid Regragui, watching from the stands as they had been serving a suspension imposed by the Confederation of African Football earlier Wednesday.
But Ivory Coast followers needed to endure a nervy finale. Lameck Banda went simply huge as Zambia began their greatest interval of stress across the hour mark. Lubambo Musonda fired over for the Copper Bullets, who pushed onerous for an equalizer that will have meant the hosts’ elimination.
Morocco then missed late probabilities to seal it, with Mulenga pulling off two saves in stoppage time to maintain the suspense to the top.
Ivory Coast fired coach Jean-Louis Gasset earlier Wednesday.
Morocco completed prime of Group F with seven factors, 4 greater than Congo, which additionally reached the final 16. Zambia and Tanzania, with two factors every, had been eradicated.
Goals dry up in Group E
Mali, South Africa, and Namibia all superior to the final 16 on Wednesday once they took half within the match’s first goalless video games.
Mali’s 0-0 draw with Namibia was sufficient to prime Group E, whereas South Africa clinched second place on purpose distinction from Namibia by drawing 0-0 with Tunisia.
Mali completed with 5 factors, yet one more than South Africa and Namibia, whereas Tunisia was eradicated after ending backside of the group.
Namibia progressed as one of many 4 greatest third-place finishers, which was dangerous news for Ivory Coast on the time. The Elephants then wanted a Morocco victory.
Source: www.dailysabah.com