FUTSAL
Defending Champions, Morocco thrash Ghana to move to the summit of Group A
The Atlas Lions of Morocco delivered a stunning 8-3 victory against Ghana in front of their home fans in Rabat, securing their second win and moving closer to the semi-finals of the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations.
Under the leadership of Hicham Dguig, the team produced a dominant performance against the Black Stars at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall on Saturday night.
The hosts wasted no time in taking the lead, as Youssef Jouad found the net with a side-footed finish just 15 seconds into the game, leaving goalkeeper Rapheal Tsigbe helpless.
Captain Soufiane El Mesrar doubled Morocco’s advantage two minutes later with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the area, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.
Although Prince Arthur pulled one back for Ghana six minutes later with a deflected set piece, the Atlas Lions swiftly restored their two-goal lead through a splendid goal by Soufiane Charraoui.
Soufiane El Mesrar extended Morocco’s lead to 4-1 after a clever play from Youssef Jouad, but Ghana’s Philip Nii Boye managed to score his team’s second goal before halftime.
The second half saw a closely contested battle between the two teams, with both sides creating scoring opportunities. However, it was Morocco’s El Mesrar who won a penalty 12 minutes into the half, which Bilal Bakkali converted to make it 6-3 in favor of Morocco.
Late goals from Khalid Bouzid and Youssef Jouad sealed the comprehensive victory for Morocco, delighting their supporters in attendance.
With this result, the Atlas Lions sit atop Group A with six points from two matches, while Angola and Zambia follow closely with three points each. Ghana remains at the bottom of the group without a point.
-CAF
FUTSAL
Morocco ease past Angola to clinch record-equalling third Futsal AFCON title
The Atlas Lions of Morocco clinched their third consecutive CAF Futsal AFCON title following a stunning 5-1 victory over Angola in Sunday’s entertaining final.
A sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall witnessed Hicham Dguig write history by joining Egypt as the two teams to have won the continental championship on three occasions.
Goals from Soufiane Borite, Bilal Bakkali, Anas El Ayyane, Idriss Raiss El Fenni, and captain Soufiane El Mesrar were enough to secure Morocco the victory in front of their fans.
The hosts started brightly against the Sable Antelopes in Rabat, with Soufiane El Mesrar and Soufian Charraoui coming close to breaking the deadlock for Hicham Dguig’s side.
Backed by their vocal fans, Morocco scored the opener after 6 minutes through Soufiane Borite. The FC Kemi ace latched onto Raiss El Fenni’s cross to guide his effort into an unguarded Angolan goal.
The Sable Antelopes responded to draw level when Aderito Santo slotted in the equalizer with a composed finish at the back post.
The two sides continued to attack as they battled for the next goal of the match, and it was the Atlas Lions who grabbed it four minutes before the break, courtesy of Idriss Raiss El Fenni, to send the home fans into wild celebrations.
Captain El Mesrar gave Morocco a two-goal advantage just before halftime when he squared Bilal Fenni’s through ball.
Anas El Ayyane and Bilal Bakkali completed the Atlas Lions’ comprehensive victory with two late goals to secure their third consecutive title.
Morocco, Angola, and Libya will represent the continent at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan later this year.
FUTSAL
Egypt cruise past Namibia to regain top spot in Group B
Three time champions Egypt produced a strong second half performance to beat Namibia 10-3 in the ongoing Futsal AFCON Morocco 2024.
GehadArafa’s side showed their class and experience against the tournament newcomers on Sunday, 14 April at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall.
Mohamed Farag forced a save from Cee-Jay Van Wyk in the Brave 5 goal before a clever interchange of Egyptian passes freed Khaled Abdelhalim at the back post but the Saudi based star fired against the post.
The three time champions broke the deadlock after 5 minutes through Alaa Eissa’s effort. Khaled Abbas smashed a shot straight into the midriff of Van Wyk as the Egyptians pushed to their second.
Mohamed Abdelrazak Koki missed a great opportunity to extend their lead while Nanguel Kamatuka saw his goal bound shot cleared off the line by an Egyptian defender.
The debutants leveled matters eight minutes before halftime courtesy of Reginald Clive Willemse’s stunning finish. Willemse pounced on a loose ball just outside the area to rifle his effort into the roof of the Pharaohs net.
Egypt regained their lead a minute later when Khaled Abdelhalim curled a delightful shot past Van Wyk but his celebrations were short lived as Rowen Jager equalised for the spirited Namibians.
Captain Ken Salote missed the target to put Ryan Jago’s men in front at the magnificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall. Namibia were punished on the stroke of halftime for wasting their chances when Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki slotted in their third to go into the break with a 3-2 advantage.
The North Africans extended their lead in the first minute of the second half when Essam Ramadan drilled in a low drive past Van Wyk to make it 4-2.
Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki scored his second of the match to give the Egyptians a handsome 5-2 advantage before Abdelrahman Moawad made it 6-2 with a toe poke finish to beat Cee-Jay.
Namibia keeper Ryiena Riya pulled a goal back on either side of Ahmed Mohamed’s quick double. Khaled Abdelhalim scored a second to put Egypt 9-3 up before Ahmed Mohamed completed his hat trick to make it 10-3 for the tournament’s most successful team.
Egypt sit at the summit of the Group B with 6 points with Mauritania in second with 3 points ahead of their match against Libya alongside Namibia are without a point.
FUTSAL
Five star defending champion, Morocco’s Atlas Lions roar past Angola
The Atlas Lions of Morocco kicked off their Futsal AFCON 2024 campaign with a comprehensive 5-2 victory over Angola on Thursday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall.
The two time champions of the tournament showed their resolve in front of an expectant home crowd to see off the spirited Angolans.
Soufian Charraoui was the star of the match scoring a hat trick to propel the defending champions to victory at the sold out Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall.
Helber Garcia silenced the home crowd after seven minutes with a well taken goal to beat Abdelkrim Anbia.
Hicham Dguig regrouped his team and they replied just after the restart courtesy of Idriss Raiss El Fenni’s low drive.
The winners of the last two tournaments won a free kick just outside the Angolan box and Ismail Amazal squared the ball to Raiss to level matters for the hosts.
Soufian Charraoui fired Morocco in front six minutes before the break to send the home faithful into wild celebrations.
The fearless Angolans continued to fight and came close twice before halftime.
Helber Garcia and Joâo Cambangula saw their goal bound efforts tipped over by the impressive Abdelkrim Anbia.
Anas El Ayyane scored the third for Morocco with a stylish dinked effort over the onrushing Gabriel Domingos to make it 3-1 two minutes into the second half.
Soufian Charraoui doubled his tally and extended Morocco’s lead with a toe-poked effort just outside the area.
The Holland-born ace completed his hat trick three minutes from time to complete the route for the pre tournament favorites.
Angola pulled a goal back late on but it was only enough for a consolation as the hosts moved joint top of the group with Zambia who beat Ghana with the same scoreline.
The Atlas Lions will face Zambia on Saturday, 13 April at the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah at 20:00 GMT after Angola’s crucial match against Ghana at 17:00 GMT.
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