Morocco Pip Bafana, Zaha Strikes In Ivory Coast Thrashing Of Namibia

1st July 2019 - by AFP

South Africa hopes of progressing to the AFCON round of 16 from Group D now hang on results going their way after 0-1 loss to Atlas Lions, Elephants turn on the style to trample Brave Warriors 4-1

Ivory Coast's forward Wilfried Zaha reacts during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group D football match between Namibia and Ivory Coast at the 30 June Stadium in the Egyptian capital Cairo on July 1, 2019. PHOTO/AFP

SUMMARY

Billed as the 'Group of Death' 2013 and 2015 winning head coach, Havre Renard saw his fancied Moroccans progress as group winners with maximum nine points after winning their third straight pool encounter 0-1
Max Gradel's precise finish and an own goal by Ryan Nyambe put the 2015 champions in control in Cairo, with late Zaha and Maxwel Cornet efforts wrapping up the win after Joslin Kamatuka had given Namibia hope in the 71st minute
Having been on course to seal one of four best third-place spots, South Africa will now be counting on Senegal to beat Kenya Monday night while keeping a close eye on Tuesday's results in Group E and F

CAIRO, Egypt- Favourites Morocco and Ivory Coast advanced to the last 16 of the Egypt 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from Group D in contrasting fashion on Monday evening.

The Atlas Lions pipped Bafana Bafana 1-0 as the Elephants crushed the Brave Warriors 4-1 with Crystal Palace star striker, Wilfried Zaha among the scorers.

Billed as the 'Group of Death' 2013 and 2015 winning head coach, Havre Renard saw his fancied Moroccans progress as group winners with maximum nine points after winning their third straight pool encounter 0-1.

A last-minute goal from midfielder Mbarak Boussafa who netted on the stroke of full time pushed South Africans, the 1996 champions, to the precipice in a heartbreaking loss to Bafana that leaves them having an anxious wait to find out whether their AFCON return will end at the first hurdle.

Having lost 0-1 to the Atlas Lions in game two, Zaha scored on his first start at this year's AFCON as Ivory Coast clinched a place in the last 16 by sealing second place behind Morocco on six.

Max Gradel's precise finish and an own goal by Ryan Nyambe put the 2015 champions in control in Cairo, with late Zaha and Maxwel Cornet efforts wrapping up the win after Joslin Kamatuka had given Namibia hope in the 71st minute.

The Ivorians advance as runners-up of Group D behind Morocco, who snatched a last-gasp winner in a 1-0 victory over South Africa that leaves Stuart Baxter's side relying on other results to scrape through as one of four best third-place finishers.

Ivory Coast boss Ibrahim Kamara handed Arsenal target Zaha his first start of the competition in place of Nicolas Pepe at 30 June Stadium, with the Elephants having scored just once in their first two matches.

Good chances

They were lucky not to fall behind as Peter Shalulile wasted a pair of good chances for Namibia, before Gradel ran on to a wonderful Franck Kessie pass to lift over Lloyd Kazapua to put the Ivorians ahead on 39.

An unfortunate Nyambe then redirected a speculative Geoffrey Serey Die drive into his own net as Ivory Coast increased their advantage near the hour.

Sloppy defending offered Namibia a lifeline as Kamatuka made it 2-1, but Zaha drilled home a low shot from 15 yards before substitute Cornet smacked home a fourth in the closing stages.

The Ivorians go through to a last 16 encounter with the winners from Group E -- likely Mali or Tunisia -- but South Africa face a nervous 24-hour wait to determine if they will also advance.

Bafana had also struggled in attack heading into their final group game against Herve Renard's Morocco at Al Salam Stadium.

Percy Tau hammered a shot just wide for South Africa after slick footwork on the edge of the box, while Younes Belhanda volleyed straight at the recalled Ronwen Williams in a quiet first half.

Achraf Hakimi rattled the crossbar with a terrific 25-yard attempt early in the second half, but Morocco won it right at the death as Boussoufa stabbed home from close range after a free-kick fell into his path.

Having been on course to seal one of four best third-place spots, South Africa will now be counting on Senegal to beat Kenya Monday night while keeping a close eye on Tuesday's results in Group E and F.

Morocco's midfielder Mbark Boussoufa (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between South Africa and Morocco at the Al Salam Stadium in the Egyptian capital Cairo on July 1, 2019. PHOTO/AFP