MOROCCO 3-1 TOGO: ATLAS LIONS RALLY FROM A GOAL DOWN TO CLINCH CRUCIAL VICTORY
Harve Renard’s Morocco recovered from their opening group loss to record a comprehensive victory over the Hawks of Togo in the completion of match day two in Group C. The Atlas Lions fell to a 1-0 loss to DR Congo in their tournament opener and when Mathieu Dossevi gave Togo the lead inside 5 minutes, they were stirring down the prospect of yet another ignominious exit at the group stages.
But they came flying out of the blocks to record an immensely impressive 3-1 victory which puts them in pole position to qualify into the last eight.
Morocco had barely settled in the game when they found themselves picking the ball out of their nets in some stunning fashion. Floyd Ayite slid through a sizzling through ball inside the Moroccan area and Dossevi did not make a mistake burying past the goalkeeper, 1-0.
Morocco’s reply was almost instant as they found themselves level after just 9 minutes of falling behind. A corner was swang in from the right end of the Togo defence and when Togo keeper Kossi Agassa came flying up in an attempt to catch the ball, he made a mess of it with the ball falling graciously on the head of Bouhaddouz who headed home the equalizer, 1-1.
Kossi Agassa was struggling with Morocco’s crosses into his box and in the 21st minute, he fell victim to another set piece from the Atlas Lions. Faycal Fajr swung in a free kick from the far left corner which found midfielder Saiss, heading the Atlas Lions into the lead, 2-1. Togo huffed and puffed as they poured more men in search of the equalizer after the recess and in the 72nd minute, Morocco took advantage and put the game to bed.
En-Nesyri had barely been on the pitch but he found enough space and heading towards the Togo box fired home a venomous 25 yard screamer which bounced awkwardly off in front of Agassaand into the net, 3-1 and game over. The victory has breathed life into Morocco’s AFCON campaign as they lie 2nd in group C with 3 points behind leaders Congo who have 4 points.
The Ivory Coast lie third with 2 points whiles Togo sit bottom with a point meaning each team still have a chance of qualifying depending on how results go in their favor leaving the final group games on Tuesday finely poised. Morocco meet Ivory Coast in what promises to be a cracking encounter whiles Togo meet DR Congo.
