Malawi’s dream goal from 35 metres took Morocco a long time to recover from, but in the end the Atlas Lions prevailed 2-1 thanks to an impressive free-kick goal by Achraf Hakimi.
Morocco were drawn against underdogs Malawi in the last 16 of the Africa Cup after a respectable 0-0 draw with Senegal on the final day of group play to advance from the group stage for the first time. Morocco’s starting line-up included keeper Bono, striker En-Nesyri (both Sevilla FC) and PSG defender Hakimi.
The title co-favourites were shocked after just seven minutes – Malawi’s Gabadinho Mhango scored his third goal of the tournament with a sensational strike into the right-hand corner from 35 metres. Hakimi followed him but did not stop him from shooting. Moreover, keeper Bono was standing a little too far in front of his box. Memories of the Atlas Lions’ Round of 16 exit against Benin two years ago came flooding back.
Overdue equaliser through En-Nesyri
Morocco dominated the match, but Malawi had another good chance on 23 minutes through Mhango, but this time he missed narrowly from 13 metres. The favourites were not impressed by this and had four good chances before the break: Hakimi failed to hit Thomu with a free-kick from 20 metres (28) and Saiss hit the crossbar with a header from five metres (34). Six minutes later, Hakimi hit the post (40) and Boufal shot miserably over from five metres.
After all the chances, the Atlas Lions finally equalised in the first half: after a cross from Amallah, Sevilla’s En-Nesyri took off over all the defenders and headed the ball into the net with force past Thomu.
Morocco continue to be inconsistent – but then comes Hakimi
At the start of the second half, the game became more open again, but with 15:3 shots on goal and a possession of about 75 percent, Morocco were still the better team – but they were still not consistent. In the 64th minute, substitute Mmaee had a free shot, but it was deflected and went just wide of the goal.
With 20 minutes to go, Hakimi’s world class struck again – as in the last group game against Gabon (2-2), Morocco’s most eye-catching player sensationally placed a free-kick from about 25 metres into the goal, this time into the right-hand corner. On 77 minutes, En-Nesyri had the chance to make it 3-1 after strong work by Mmaee, but he put the ball to the left of the goal. Malawi pressed again in the final minutes but failed to create any scoring opportunities.
This is Malawi’s exit from the tournament after their third appearance and first knockout match. Morocco will face the winner of the clash between Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt in the quarter-finals next Sunday (5pm).
