AFCON Last 16: Morocco secure comeback win vs. Malawi, Senegal see-off 9-man Cape Verde into quarters
Morocco came from a goal down to register a 2-1 victory over Malawi to advance to the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco had a slow start to the game leaving Malawi with the freedom to dominate in early exchanges that led to Gabadinho Mhango striking early for the Malawi Flames after only seven minutes of play.
The opener served as a wake-up call for the Moroccon team as they responded and attacked in numbers to try and level matters.
The pressure from the Atlas Lions yielded the needed results as En-Nesyri made it 1-1 when he nodded in a well taken Sofiane Boufal corner kick only two minutes of added time to the break.
The Malawi Flames cushioned a lot of pressure as the Atlas Lions dominated most of the play in the first half with seven shots on target against Malawi’s one.
Achraf Hakimi finally curled in a sensational long-range free kick after piling pressure on the Malawian defending line to seal a place for the Moroccans in the quarterfinal stage.
Morocco will wait to face the winner between Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt in the quarter final.
Senegal see-off 9-man Cape Verde
Senegal sailed into the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations after defeating a resilient Cape Verde Cape 2-0 at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam on Tuesday.
Sadio Mane and Bamba Dieng’s second half goals sealed the victory for Aliou Cisse’s men in a game which saw two Cape Verde players receive a red card.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mané was caught up in a horrible clash of heads with Malawi goalkeeper Vozinha that left both players dazed on the ground, with the Vozinha picking a red card.
The Malawi goalie was rushed to hospital but Mané got up from the clash to score a goal that helped put Senegal into the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations on Tuesday. He could not finish the game and was also later sent for treatment.
Goalkeeper Vozinha paid a visit to Senegal star at the hospital following the two players’ head collision.
The two teams observed a moment of silence ahead of kickoff in memory of the victims of the Olembe Stadium incident which happened last night.
