By Daily Sports on November 12, 2017

Morocco defeated hosts Ivory Coast 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier at the Stade Felix Houpouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Saturday to secure safe passage to Russia 2018.

The Atlas Lions needed only a draw to finish top of group C ahead of the Elephants, but their victory at the home of their closest rivals saw them secure qualification in impressive style and confirm a return to the global tournament for the first time since 1998.

After a patchy opening quarter hour, Ivory Coast created the first clear chance on 17 minutes when a ball over the top allowed Gervinho to spring the offside trap, but his attempted finish ended up in the stands behind the goal.

Yet Morocco, against the run of play, claimed the lead on 25 minutes: midfielder Nabil Dirar played an in-swinging cross from the right flank which beat the players in the middle but found the net just inside goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo’s right-hand post.

On the half hour mark the north Africans doubled their advantage, with captain Medhi Benatia getting ahead of marker Jean-Philippe Gbamin at a corner kick to half-volley home from close range.

The halftime whistle saw the Atlas Lions 2-0 up and very much on course to secure a place at the 2018 tournament.

Morocco almost claimed a third goal early in the second stanza, with Mbark Boussoufa’s scuffed effort desperately cleared off his own line by defender Serge Aurier.

And the Tottenham Hotspur fullback missed a great chance to bring his side back into the game on 64 minutes, blazing a shot over the target when he had only the goalkeeper to beat - and teammate Seydou Doumbia in a better position.

The Elephants threw everything they had at Morocco in the last 20 minutes or so, but the fact that they hardly troubled the goalkeeper says everything for Morocco’s defensive stability and composure.

The Atlas Lions join Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia as the five African representatives at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

•Photo shows Morrocans on the field of player.

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 12, 2017

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