Football: Soccer-Morocco fight back to draw with Gabon and finish top of group

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YAOUNDE (Reuters) – Morocco twice got here from behind to draw 2-2 with Gabon in Yaounde on Tuesday and finish top of Group C on the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Achraf Hakimi hit a surprising free kick six minutes from the top to save Morocco from an upset defeat towards a Gabon facet which had eight gamers dominated out due to COVID-19 infections, together with talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Jim Allevinah’s aim put Gabon forward at halftime however Sofiane Boufal equalised with a Seventy fifth-minute penalty, just for Aaron Boupendza to put Gabon back in entrance within the final 10 minutes.

Morocco completed with seven factors, two forward of second-placed Gabon.

Gabon had some success for his or her Twenty second-minute opener as an extended ball kicked up area by goalkeeper Jean-Noel Amonome was missed by Morocco centre back Sofian Chakla, who slipped as he tried to clear and Allevinah got here operating by to hit it in first time with his left foot.

For all their possession, Morocco struggled to create possibilities and Gabon may need had two extra targets within the first half, displaying no indicators of lacking Aubameyang, who has returned to London for additional medical assessments after his bout of COVID-19.

First Boupendza turned Chakla and received goalside solely to put his effort narrowly large earlier than Lloyd Palun headed firmly in the direction of the goal just for a flying save from Morocco goalkeeper Munir to deny him.

Morocco finally equalised after Andre Biyogo Poko introduced down Boufal, though it seemed a marginal choice confirmed by VAR.

Boufal received up to slam house the penalty however six minutes later Boupendza was on the finish of a sq. cross, squeezing the ball house from a good angle to restore Gabon’s lead.

Hakimi then hammered in a late, long-range free kick to make it 2-2 and guarantee Morocco topped the group.

“It was satisfying to see the character of the gamers though Gabon have been very troublesome, particularly on the counter assault,” mentioned Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

Morocco should wait to discover out who they face subsequent, whereas Gabon will tackle Burkina Faso in Sunday’s opening match of the final 16.

Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe, who precipitated a furore final week when he ended the match between Mali and Tunisia earlier than time and then tried to get the groups back on the pitch some half-hour later to play a further 4 minutes, served because the Video Assistant Referee for the match.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Toby Davis and Hugh Lawson)



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