Afcon 2023: Morocco 3-0 Tanzania – Atlas Lions beat 10-man Taifa Stars
Tanzania #Tanzania
Morocco are Africa’s top-ranked side but their sole Africa Cup of Nations title came on home soil back in 1976
Pre-tournament favourites Morocco began their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a convincing win over 10-man Tanzania in Group F.
The Atlas Lions took the lead on the half hour when Romain Saiss pounced after Hakim Ziyech’s swerving free-kick was palmed back into danger.
Tanzania had Novatus Miroshi sent off with 20 minutes left and Azzedine Ounahi’s slick finish doubled the lead.
Youssef En-Nesyri converted Achraf Hakimi’s cross to round off victory.
Morocco won their sole continental title in 1976 but are firmly among the expected challengers for the trophy in Ivory Coast following their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup.
Their success in Qatar against the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal largely came as a counter-attacking outfit and, as Africa’s top-ranked side, Walid Regregui’s men now need to play on the front foot against lower-ranked opponents.
The Atlas Lions comfortably achieved that in their opener in San Pedro, with goalkeeper Bono largely a spectator.
Ziyech’s free-kick provided the chance for captain Saiss to break the deadlock, and the former Chelsea winger had a curling effort parried away before the break.
Tanzania, on their third appearance at the Afcon finals and still awaiting a first victory, struggled for rhythm and their task got harder when Miroshi was dismissed.
He had been booked for bringing down Ounahi just outside the box in the first half, and the Taifa Stars man picked up his second caution for another late sliding challenge on the Morocco midfielder.
The lively Ounahi got on the scoresheet with a controlled finish into the bottom left-hand corner following some slick passing play to help Morocco avoid a potential upset in a tournament which has sprung several surprises in the opening round of games.
Former winners DR Congo and Zambia meet in Group F’s other game on Wednesday evening (20:00 GMT), with all four sides back in action again on Sunday.
Line-upsMorocco
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Bono
2Hakimi5Aguerd6Saïss27Chibi
4S Amrabat15Amallah
7Ziyech8Ounahi16Ezzalzouli
19En-Nesyri
Substitutes
Tanzania
Formation 4-3-3
18Manula
2Mnoga14Mwamnyeto4Hamad15Hussein
3Yahya7Mao20Miroshi
10Samatta21M’Mombwa11Allarakhia
Substitutes
Referee:Alhadi Allaou Mahamat
Live Text
Match ends, Morocco 3, Tanzania 0.
Second Half ends, Morocco 3, Tanzania 0.
Mohamed Hussein (Tanzania) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Amine Harit (Morocco) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Mohamed Hussein (Tanzania).
Foul by Achraf Hakimi (Morocco).
Morice Abraham (Tanzania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Morocco. Conceded by Aishi Manula.
Attempt saved. Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Amine Adli (Morocco) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bilal El Khannouss.
Foul by Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco).
Morice Abraham (Tanzania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner, Morocco. Conceded by Bakari Mwamnyeto.
Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Simon Msuva (Tanzania).
Corner, Morocco. Conceded by Morice Abraham.
Corner, Morocco. Conceded by Charles M’Mombwa.
VAR Decision: Goal Morocco 3-0 Tanzania (Youssef En-Nesyri).
Substitution, Morocco. Amine Harit replaces Youssef En-Nesyri.
Substitution, Morocco. Sofiane Boufal replaces Azzedine Ounahi.