Morocco reach third round despite defeat

Equatorial Guinea’s young goalkeeper Felipe Ovono

Monday Nov 16, 2015. 08:38

Morocco booked their place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) third-round despite losing 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea on Sunday evening.

The second-round second leg encounter was played at the Estadio de Bata in Bata.

The Lions of the Atlas went into the encounter leading 2-0 on aggregate thanks to two goals from forwards Youssef El-Arabi and Yacine Bammou at the Stade Adrar in Agadir on Thursday.

Rui Da Gracia gave Guinea hope 14 minutes into the game with a good finish. Nevertheless, Morocco were able to hold tight at the back until the first-half ended.

There were no goals in the second-half despite Nzalang Nacional pressing Morocco for more goals. Utimately match referee Janny Sikazwe from Zambia blew the whistle to end the game.

Guinea emerged 1-0 winners on the day. However, Morocco won 2-1 on aggregate and advanced to the third round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
Equatorial Guinea 1 (Rui 14')
Morocco 0

E.Guinea XI: Ovono, Engonga, Rui, Iban, Pepin, Randy, Balboa, Kike (Josete 56'), Akapo (Boriba 53'), Viera (Bikoro 85'), Zarandona.
Morocco XI: Munir, Achakhir, Lazaar, Benatia, Feddal, El Arabi (Ziyech 76'), Fajr (Nakach 84'), Bammou, Chafik, El Adoua, Tighadouini (El Kaddouri 38').