After a lively meeting, Morocco and Gabon separate in a draw (2-2). If the Moroccans finish at the top of Group C, Gabon validates its participation in the round of 16 of the CAN.
Gabon
Morocco
And immediately
22:09 – Halilhodzic salutes the character of his players
“I played a few boys who didn’t play a lot. We knew against Gabon that it would be difficult. The boys fought well, equalized twice. I’m very satisfied. Overall, we dominated, created a few chances but lacked precision. They were very realistic, we knew they were going to counter-attack quickly. In the end, I can’t blame my players for anything.”, reacted after the meeting Vahid Halilhodzic, visibly happy with the reaction of his men in view of the scenario.
22:07 – Morocco not fixed
First in Group C and undefeated in this CAN, Morocco will play their round of 16 next Tuesday, still in Yaoundé. However, Sofiane Boufal and her teammates do not yet know their opponent. It will be either Malawi, or Cape Verde, or Tunisia.
22:04 – “We gave everything”
“We gave everything on the pitch. We prepared a lot mentally. In the end, it paid off, we qualified. It’s just happiness. We come to CAN to experience moments like that. as the competition progresses, we are more and more united, more and more united”, savored Jim Allevinah, man of the match.
21:58 – Allevinah, man of the match
Author of the first goal of his team, and very active on the offensive front where he was a poison for the Moroccan defense, Jim Allevinah was elected man of the match.
21:53 – The poster of the 8th for Gabon
After ensuring their qualification with their draw against Morocco (2-2), Gabon will face Burkina Faso on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Limbe, west of Douala on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea.
21:51 – Gabon and Morocco back to back
At the end of a snatching match, Morocco grabbed a draw against Gabon (2-2) and finished top of Group C. Vahid Halilahodzic’s men knew how to react after being led twice by attractive Gabonese and opportunists. They also qualify for the round of 16 of the CAN.
21:47 – Kanga in the wall
After his missile of the first period, Kanga tries his luck again this time from 20 meters on the left side but it is in the Moroccan wall.
21:46 – Additional time: 5 minutes
There will be five minutes of added time in this crazy second half between Gabon and Morocco.
21:43 – Burst of changes
Less than five minutes from the end of the match, Allevinah, the evening’s first scorer, gives way to Mayi, on the Gabonese side. In the opposing camp, Ounami also leaves, replaced by Tissoudali. Finally, Saïss comes into play in place of Chakla.
21:39 – Hakimi’s gem
On a free kick placed at the right angle of the Gabonese surface at 20 meters, and while everyone is expecting a cross, Hakimi chooses to try his luck directly. The side of PSG rolls up the opposite side and comes to find the left corner of the Gabonese goal. A missile that signs the second equalizer for the Moroccans seven minutes from the end of regulation time (2-2).
21:35 – Aguerd against his camp
Stupor in Yaoundé where Gabon takes the lead. On a high recovery, Obiang throws Allevinah deep. His pass seems too long but the striker pulls away and manages to cross at the end of the race. Boupendza tries to cut at the near post but it is finally Aguerd who misleads his goalkeeper with his shin (2-1).
21:33 – Ghana equalize
In the other Group C match, Ghana, like Morocco, has just equalized against the Comoros, thanks to a goal from its defender Djiku (2-2).
21:31 – Boupendza alone
Alone against three opponents, Boupendza accelerates to the left of the surface and enters it. With a head start, he shoots from a tight angle but crosses his attempt too much.
21:29 – Boufal equalizes
Boufal brings Morocco up to par. With two steps of momentum, the Angevin chooses to roll right. His shot is powerful and close to the post, which leaves no chance for Amonome who had anticipated on the right side (1-1, 73rd).
⚽ Boufal equalises in Yaoundé! ????????#DimaMaghrib ???????? #AtlasLions #TeamMorocco #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/T0mjRTsax2
— Morocco team (@EnMaroc) January 18, 2022
21:28 – Penalty for Morocco!
Boufal collapses in the area. After a center badly negotiated by the Gabonese defenders, the Moroccan striker grabbed the ball and tried to get around Amonome before collapsing, tackled by Poko and destabilized by the exit of the Gabonese goalkeeper.
The meeting between Morocco and Gabon will take place from 8 p.m., near the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium in the city of Yaoundé, located in central Cameroon.
The last Group C match between Morocco and Gabon will be broadcast live on beIN Sports 1. The Qatari group owns full broadcasting rights to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match between Sofiane Boufal’s Morocco and Bruno Ecuele Manga’s Gabon will be available for streaming on the MyCanal platform.
BetClic: Gabon: 8.00 / Draw: 2.90 / Morocco: 1.70
Bwin: Morocco: 2.40 / Draw: 2.55 / Gabon: 2.50
Winamax: Morocco: 2.85 / Draw: 2.80 / Gabon: 2.90
Maroc : El Khajoui – Hakimi, Chakla, Aguerd, Masina – Amrabat, Fajr (C), Ounahi, Chair – En-Nesyri, El-Kaabi.
Gabon: Amonome – Assoumou, Ecuélé Manga, Palun – Kanga, Obiang, Biyogo Poko, Oyono, Moussounda – Boupendza, Allevinha
Throughout this 2022 African Cup of Nations, you can find all the results of the CAN matches as well as all the group rankings updated at the end of the matches in our dedicated paper just above.