Morocco are through to the last-16 of this year's Africa Cup of Nations after beating Ivory Coast 1-0 at Al Salam Stadium on Friday.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the only goal in the encounter to ensure the North Africans qualify for the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in the 23rd minute as Morocco followed up their opening defeat of Namibia with another narrow victory on Friday.
A second successive 1-0 win for Herve Renard’s men means their place in the next round is nothing but secured, while Ivory Coast will need to grind out a result in their Group D match against Namibia.
Romain Saiss made a superb goal-line clearance to deny Jonathan Kodjia in the opening minute, but it was Morocco who took a first-half lead. Nordin Amrabat collected a crossfield pass, brilliantly jinked inside a series of challenges and slipped the ball through to En-Nesyri, who made no mistake with a low drived finish.
Ivory Coast sought an immediate equalizer with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou quick off his line to keep Max Gradel out and keep the morrocans ahead before Nicolas Pepe shot could only find the side netting from the edge of the box.
Wonlo Coulibaly delivered a fine left-wing cross for Kodjia in the 62nd minute but the striker, who netted his side’s winner against South Africa, failed to hit the target.
As the Elephants left gaps at the back, Morocco pushed for a second and En-Nesyri went close to securing his brace with a glancing header.
Ismael Traore’s ambitious overhead kick was straight at Bounou as Ivory Coast were increasingly desperate to atleast earn a point from the encounter but Morocco should have had a second in added time when Noussair Mazraoui volleyed against the crossbar from close range.
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