Hosts Morocco missed the possibility to clinch a spot within the final 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after being held to a 1-1 draw by Mali. Picture: AFP
RABAT:
Hosts Morocco missed the possibility to safe qualification for the knockout section of the Africa Cup of Nations after drawing 1-1 with Mali on Friday, however Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave Egypt a 1-0 win over South Africa which took them by means of to the final 16.
The Group A conflict between Morocco and Mali on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat was a story of two spot-kicks, with Brahim Diaz giving the match hosts the lead from a penalty deep in first-half harm time and Lassine Sinayoko equalising on 64 minutes.
The stalemate, watched by a crowd of virtually 64,000 which included France captain Kylian Mbappe, ended Morocco’s world file profitable run after 19 matches.
It additionally means Morocco haven’t but confirmed their last-16 place, though they’re first of their part with 4 factors from two video games.
Mali come subsequent on two factors alongside Zambia, who drew 0-0 with Comoros earlier in Casablanca.
Morocco face Zambia on Monday and a victory in that match will be sure that the hosts undergo as group winners.
“The primary half we have been excellent. We had probabilities to attain. The second half we did not get into the sport. We stopped taking part in and we suffered a bit. It is a recreation that may assist us going ahead,” Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi instructed broadcaster beIN Sports activities.
“We have to get the three factors within the third match and end first within the group.”
Achraf Hakimi, the Morocco captain and African participant of the yr, was once more an unused substitute as he continues his restoration from an ankle harm.
Morocco’s penalty got here when Mali defender Nathan Gassama brushed the ball together with his hand as he tried to cease Diaz dribbling previous him contained in the field, and the referee finally awarded a spot-kick following a prolonged take a look at the pitchside VAR monitor.
Diaz despatched the goalkeeper the fallacious means for his second aim of the match however Morocco couldn’t construct on that as Mali received a penalty of their very own simply after the hour mark.
Sinayoko was challenged by Jawad El Yamiq and one other penalty was finally given after a VAR intervention.
Auxerre striker Sinayoko stroked within the reward, and the Eagles held on for a draw by means of 10 minutes of stoppage time as the ultimate whistle was greeted with jeers by dwelling followers.
Salah sinks South Africa
In Agadir, Liverpool famous person Salah transformed a penalty on the stroke of half-time as Egypt turned the primary workforce by means of to the knockout rounds.
However South Africa have been aggrieved to not be awarded a spot-kick close to the tip when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to deal with the ball contained in the field.
Egypt’s penalty was given after a VAR test when South African right-back Khuliso Mudau raised his left arm and struck Salah within the eye.
The Pharaohs skipper transformed the penalty as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dived the fallacious means.
Extra drama erupted in added time when right-back Mohamed Hany stamped on Teboho Mokoena, resulting in a second yellow card for the defender.
South Africa couldn’t discover a leveller regardless of the additional man, after which got here the late choice to not give Bafana Bafana a spot-kick of their very own as Egypt held on.
After two rounds in Group B, file seven-time champions Egypt have six factors and are assured a top-two end.
South Africa have three factors, and Angola and Zimbabwe one every after they drew 1-1 in Marrakesh earlier with veteran Data Musona scoring for the Warriors to cancel out Gelson Dala’s opener.
“I am very joyful for the end result, for certain. It was a tricky recreation, they dominated more often than not. It is a workforce that may preserve the ball for a very long time so I believe we had a great gameplan, it labored,” stated Salah.
“We walked away with the three factors, it is a very powerful factor. The environment is unbelievable. Hopefully we are able to keep it up like this.”
South Africa coach Hugo Broos stated: “The penalty awarded to Egypt was ridiculous, actually ridiculous.
“Concerning us not being awarded a penalty close to the tip, the arm of the Egyptian was prolonged and the ball touched it. It was a penalty.”
