Morocco defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D match at the Al Salam Stadium in Egypt on Friday evening.

As a result, the Atlas Lions progressed to the round of 16, while the Elephants will have to defeat Namibia in their last group game in order to qualify.

The Elephants threatened first through Jonathan Kodjia, whose header was cleared off the goal-line by Romain Saiss a minute into the game.

The Atlas Lions then grew into the game with Nordin Amrabat looking lively for the 1976 AFCON champions.

The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute after some great work by Amrabat, whose beautiful through pass was superbly finished off by Youssef En-Nesyri to make it 1-0.

Ivory Coast almost responded with a goal after the Morocco defence was exposed two minutes later, but Nicolas Pepe's long-range shot hit the side-netting.

The two teams continued to attack each other after half-hour and En-Nesyri came close to grabbing his brace when his effort was saved by Sylvain Gbohouo in Ivory Coast goal-posts.

Gbobouo's counterpart, Yassine Bounou was seriously tested just before the half-time break and he pulled off a great save to deny Ivorian veteran midfielder Serey Die.

The score was 1-0 to Morocco at the interval thanks to En-Nesyri's well-taken goal.

The Elephants were frustrated by the Atlas Lions after the restart with experienced defender Medhi Benatia looking solid at the heart of the Morocco defence.

Ibrahim Kamara, the Ivory Coast head coach, decided to introduce strikers Maxwel Cornet and Wilfried Bony as they the two-time AFCON champions looked to restore parity.

However, Kamara's charges struggled to create chances for their strikers and Morocco were able to push forward in search of another goal.

Younes Belhanda found some space in the Ivory Coast box in the 83rd minute and he unleashed a shot which was pushed over the crossbar by an alert Gbohouo.

The last chance of the game fell for Ajax Amsterdam defender Noussair Mazaroui with the Elephants defence exposed in stoppage time.

However, the full-back's effort hit the crossbar and ultimately, Morocco emerged 1-0 winners after containing Ivory Coast in the closing stages of the match.

Morocco (1) 1 (En-Nesyri 23')
Ivory Coast (0) 0

Morocco: Bounou, Benatia, Hakimi, El Ahmadi, Boussoufa (Da Costa 90'+3), Dirar, Belhanda, Saiss, Ziyech (Boufal 75'), Amrabat (Mazraoui 82'), En-Nesyri.

Ivory Coast: Gbohouo, Aurier (Bakayoko 70'), Kanon, Traoré, Coulibaly, Serey Dié, Kessié, Seri (Bony 63'), Gradel (Cornet 55'), Pepe, Kodjia.

Morocco will meet Ivory Coast in their second 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D match on Friday.

Kick-off is at 19h00 CAT.

The encounter will take place at the Al Salam Stadium in the Egyptian city of Cairo.

The Atlas Lions recorded a 1-0 victory against Namibia in their opening group match which was played in Cairo on Sunday.

Ajax Amsterdam playmaker Hakim Ziyech is one of the best African players at the moment and he has the ability to inspire the Atlas Lions to victory over Ivory Coast.

Morocco head coach Herve Renard will be hoping to mastermind a victory for the 1976 AFCON champions against his former side.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast secured a 1-0 victory against South Africa in their maiden group match which was also played in Cairo on Monday.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is one of the top attackers in the English Premier League and he will be keen to help the Elephants secure their second win.

Ivory Coast head coach Ibrahim Kamara will be eager to lead the two-time AFCON champions to a big victory against the star-studded Morocco team.

This will be the 20th meeting between Morocco and Ivory Coast.

The teams have registered six wins and seven games ended in a draw.