Afcon roundup: Morocco made to work hard for opening win | Yoane Wissa on target as DR Congo draw with Zambia
Roundup as Morocco begin their Afcon campaign with a 3-0 win over Tanzania; goals from Romain Saiss, Azz-Eddine Ounahi and Youssef En Nesyri gave Morocco a one-sided win; meanwhile, Brentford forward Yoane Wissa helped DR Congo to a 1-1 draw with Zambia in Group F of the Afcon
By PA Sport
Wednesday 17 January 2024 23:12, UK
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Goals from Romain Saiss, Azz-Eddine Ounahi and Youssef En Nesyri fired Morocco to a 3-0 win over Tanzania in a one-sided Africa Cup of Nations opener.
Former Wolves defender Saiss struck in the first half but, despite their total dominance, Morocco had to wait until the unfancied Tanzanians were reduced to 10 players late in the second half before finishing them off.
While Morocco could boast the likes of Paris St Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, Tanzania started with Tarryn Allarakhia of National League club Wealdstone in attack.
Thus, the gulf in class between the World Cup semi-finalists and the minnows who have never won a match at the AFCON was clear, but Morocco could not find a way through until the 30th minute.
Ibrahim Hamad's foul on Hakim Ziyech gave the Chelsea winger, on loan at Galatasaray, the chance to get the first shot on target of the match.
Ziyech's fierce free-kick was beaten out by Tanzania goalkeeper Aishi Manula but Saiss was following up and buried the rebound.
Ziyech, becoming increasingly influential down the right, then swung in a cross which En Nesyri headed over before forcing a decent near-post save from Manula.
How the teams lined up
Match stats
As half-time approached, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli blazed over from a tight angle as Tanzania somehow made it to the break
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