Morocco largely beat the Central African Republic this Friday, November 13 in Casablanca (4-1) while Tunisia was content with a narrow victory against Tanzania (1-0). The two North African teams take the lead of their group.
Achraf Hakimi, smiling, slapped the hand of coach Vahid Halilhodzic just after opening the scoring in Casablanca when the first quarter of an hour of play was not yet over (10th).
Forget the draw against Burundi
At home and behind closed doors, the Atlas Lions were counting on taking back the lead of Group E against the Central African Republic. A year ago, the Moroccans were keen to forget the draw (0-0) against Mauritania on the first day, a nation supposed to be much weaker. A very bad start for Morocco, but also for its new coach Vahid Halihodzic.
A second victory in this campaign was therefore needed after the one against Burundi (3-0). It must be said that since the pitiful elimination in the quarter-finals during the CAN 2019 in Egypt against Benin, the Atlas Lions are always expected at the turn.
Youssef Msakni scorer with Tunisia
If Louis Mafouta equalized in the 24th minute, the Lions began to take the lead on a penalty transformed with a powerful strike by Hakim Ziyech after a foul on Youssef El-Arabi (30th). Morocco made the break three minutes later with a double from Ziyech from a free-kick. Zakaria Aboukhlal once again stunned the Central African Republic with a fourth goal (64th). Morocco therefore easily regains the head of its group.
Tunisia, another representative of the Maghreb, was already three points ahead of their group and could widen the gap against Tanzania with a third consecutive success. The Carthage Eagles were able to count on Youssef Msakni who scored the only goal of the game from a penalty kick in the 18th minute. The Tunisians are well ahead of Group J with 6 points ahead of Tanzania, second in the group.
