2024 Chan: Morocco ease past Angola at Nyayo National Stadium

Giants Morocco on Sunday began their campaign in Group “A” of 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) with an emphatic 2-0 win over Angola at the 18,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

A 29th-minute strike by Imad Riahi and an own goal by Angola’s defender Joaquim Marcos Cunga Balanga in the 81st minute sealed the maximum points for Morocco, nicknamed “Atlas Lions”.

Morocco, coached by former national team player Tarek Sektioui, are looking to make history as the most successful team in Chan by clinching their third title in this eighth edition, which is being co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Morocco won back-to-back Chan titles in 2018 at home and 2020 in Cameroon.

For Angola, who are nicknamed “The Sable Antelopes”, and coached by Portuguese Pedro Goncalves, they are chasing their maiden Chan title in five appearances.

While Morocco are the top-ranked African nation globally at position 12, Angola are placed 87. Earlier in the other Group “A” match held at the 48,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, hosts Kenya defeated 2009 and 2016 champions the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0.

Zambia are the pool’s other team.

Cheered by a handful of their noisy supporters, Angola threatened first inside the opening minute, but defender Antonio Da Silva Chitanga Hossi missed the target from a promising position.

However, the early attack by Angola had little effect on Morocco, as they remained composed and thrilled the handful of fans watching the match with an impressive display. In 16 minutes, Angola survived a scare when their goalkeeper Adilson Da Cruz Cipriano parried a dangerous cross from forward Anass El Mahraoui inside the box.

Lucky for Angola, no Moroccan player was quick enough to pounce on a rebound.

The “Atlas Lions” continued to lead the search for the opening goal, with Cipriano, who is also Angola’s captain, producing a brilliant save in the 26th minute - stretching well to block Riahi’s powerful strike that was headed for the top right corner.

Three minutes later, however, Cipriano was beaten. Riahi latched onto a perfectly weighted through pass from Mohamed Hrimat before calmly slotting home to give Morocco the lead.

The goal sent the small group of Morocco’s fans at the stadium into celebration.

It was Angola who were dominant in the second half, but they failed to translate their dominance into goals. A chip by Angola’s forward Miguel Vieira from the left on 50 minutes was saved by Morocco’s goalkeeper Elmehdi Harrar before the “Sable Antelops” deadlocked. Joaquim Jo Cristovao Paciencia squandered a glorious chance after dribbling into the box.

Piling pressure high for an equaliser, unmarked Alberto Adao Campos Miguel planted his ambitious shot over the crossbar to the disappointment.

Just moments earlier, Angola made the match’s first change with Vanilsin Tita Zeu coming in for Aguinaldo Matias.

Morocco responded with the introduction of Khalid Baba for Riahi. Angola also introduced Simao Dianzenza for Joao Muanha. In what was one of Morocco’s few promising efforts to double their lead in the second half, Ayoub Mouloua failed to connect with Baba’s cross. However, nine minutes later, Morocco doubled their lead through an own goal by Angola’s defender Joaquim Marcos Cunga Balanga.

Moments later, Moroccan defender Mohamed Boulascout had a chance to add a third, but his shot was parried by goalkeeper Adilson Da Cruz Cipriano.

Morocco’s captain, Mohammed Rabie Mrimat, was named the man-of-the-match.

In their next group match, Angola will face hosts Kenya on Thursday at MISC, while Morocco will clash with Kenya at the same venue on Sunday.