The Moroccan U20 selection began the African Cup of Nations in the category with a tight but essential victory against Kenya (3-2), this Thursday, May 1 at the Stade of June 30 in Cairo, on the first day of group B.
Shaken from the start of the game, the Atlas lion cubs conceded a goal signed Lawrence Ouma in the 16th minute. It was then not until the end of the first period to see Yassir Zabiri, the attacking midfielder of FC Famalicão (Liga Portugal), equalize for Morocco (45th).
Upon returning from the locker room, Zabiri gave this by scoring a double in the 55th minute, at the conclusion of a magnificent pass by Othmane Maammar, winger of Montpellier HSC. But Kenya, far from resigning himself, returned to the game thanks to a realization by Hassan Beja (71st), winger evolving at AFC Leopards, one of the flagship clubs of the Kenyan championship.
While the match seemed to be able to switch on one side as on the other, it was finally Rayan Laalaoui who sealed the Moroccan victory in the 78th minute, offering three crucial points to his selection after a hung match.
Morocco will nevertheless have to correct certain defensive approximations before facing Nigeria this Sunday, then Tunisia on Wednesday May 7, in a group phase which promises to be very disputed.
