Achraf Hakimi of the Morocco team is celebrating. Photo by Ayman Aref/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (14619276be)
Saturday Oct 12, 2024. 23:00
The final Matchday 3 fixture in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers saw Morocco crush the Central African Republic 5-0 at the Honor Stadium in Oujda on Saturday night.
The Atlas Lions, who will be present at the next Nations Cup as the host team regardless of their performance in the qualifiers, have opened up a five-point lead at the top of Group B over nearest chasers Gabon (nine points to four).
The Wild Beasts are a further point back in third spot (three points), while Lesotho (one point) complete the quartet.
Morocco established dominance in territory and possession terms early in the game, and broke the deadlock in the 18th minute via a crisp finish from Abde Ezzalzouli.
Both teams made changes in the opening 35 minutes, with Morocco forced to withdraw goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for Munir Mohamedi, while Central Africa swapped out Dylan Mboumbouni for Sadock Ndobe.
The Atlas Lions doubled their advantage on 38 minutes via Azzedine Ounahi, who converted from Youssef Belammari’s assist, and they added two more before half time.
Ounahi turned provider when he set up Achraf Hakimi to score in the 45th minute, and in the fourth minute of added time Ounahi netted a second, this time from a set-up by Ezzalzouli.
Morocco added a fifth in the 70th minute, with Soufiane Rahimi converting from the penalty spot, and the North African heavyweights then settled into cruise mode for the remainder of the match and saw out a comfortable triumph.
The teams will face off again in a return match on Tuesday 15 October, set for the same venue in Oujda.
Morocco (4) 5 (Ezzalzouli 18’, Ounahi 38’, 45+4’, Hakimi 45’, Rahimi 70’ pen)
Central African Republic 0
Morocco: Bounou (Mohamedi 32’), Aguerd (Abqar 66’), Amrabat, Belammari, Ben Seghir (El Khannouss 65’), El Kaabi (En Nesyri 65’), Ezzalzouli (Akhomach 75’), Hakimi, Harkass, Ounahi, Rahimi
CAR: Youfeigane, Kondogbia, Koyalipou (Toropite 46’), Mafouta, Mboumbouni (Ndobe 34’), Namganda (Baboula 75’), Pirioua, Solet (Ngoma 46’), Tatolna (Ato-Zandanga 46’), Yambere, Yangao
