By Anye Nde Nsoh
Sports Writer kick442.com-Cameroon
The Atlas Lions of Morocco have played a 0#0 game with the Amavubi’s of Rwanda in their second game of pool C group stage games.
It was a thrilling encounter out here in Douala Friday January 22, 2021, counting hundred of fans turning out to be witnesses.
The game was played at the Reunification Stadium in Douala seeing both sides scrambling for a goal to move further. Unfortunately for them, one point each was the end product.
First Half
A calm game it was at kickoff, both sides measuring up weights studying the green turf and their opponents for an emphatic play.
Morocco changed the course of the game 4minutes into regular time when Hamza El Moussaoui sent a long one into the danger zone of the Amavubi’s. Captain Ayoub El Kaabi came in with an acrobatic kick but failed to produce a goal.
Rwanda immediately recuperated play composed an understanding forward move but the referee sounded his whistle indicating an offside play for Ernest Sugira of Rwanda.
Morocco’s four times participation in the CHAN coupled with a title gave them an upper hand to dominate most of play time against Rwanda.
Good passes, diagonal kicks, interpositional plays made up Morocco’s game.
Most attempts made by Rwanda were stopped just before the bedroom of Morocco. This gave goalkeeper Anas Zniti of Morocco the opportunity to enjoy his play time with so much ease.
Goalkeeper Anas Zniti of Morocco’s comfort zone became uncomfortable 34 minutes of the first segment, when Muhadjiri Hakizimana fired a heavy shot to the goal post but he sent it out of the white giving a corner kick in favour of Rwanda.
In an attempt to retaliate, Morocco got hold of the ball headed upfront unfortunately for Walid El Karti, he could not deliver for his side.
Free-kicks, corner kicks and headers did not change the scoreboard for either side as they returned to the dressing room for first half break with no goal recorded.
Morocco 0#0 Rwanda
Second Half
Upon return to the second segment, 50% of play was around the median. 51 minutes, Ayoub El Kaabi once again got the ball found an angle to have a goal, goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye was there to save his side.
Intensity became stronger and pressure became too much for coach Mashami Vincent’s boys to handle. Manzi Thierry of Rwanda became a saviour for his side setting free the danger zone in attempts already considered as goals.
Rwanda then took the lead in ball possession making a clean motion through a corner kick, confussion over took Soufiane Bouftini who almost caused an own-goal 61 minutes into the game but was stopped by shot stopper Anas Zniti of Morocco.
Morocco took advantage of the weaknesses of Rwanda’s defence line tried to get a goal, unfortunately for them and fortunately for goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye who targets a clean sheet, kept the record.
Ayoub El Kaabi trying to change the scoreboard for his team rather earned a yellow card 68 minutes caused by poor finish and an attempt to recuperate play.
Coach Lhoussaine Ammouta of Morocco substituted Larbi Naji for Abdelilah Hafidi, Nawfel Zerhouni for Wail Sadoui and Soufiane Rahimi for Ismail Khafi
His opponent Coach Mashami Vincent of Rwanda changed Kalisa Rashid for Ngendahimana Eric, Ernest Sugira for Jean Bertrand and Dominique Savio for Dany Usengimana.
Five minutes to the end of regular play time Rwanda had a chance, to turn tables around, but failed to produce results
The end of this game therefore indicates that Morocco backs home with four points while Rwanda has just two points in two games
Full Time
Morocco 0#0 Rwanda
Morocco will face Uganda in their third game of the group stage Tuesday January 26, 2021 at the Reunification Stadium in Douala, 8:00pm.
Rwanda will battle with Togo at the Limbe Stadium Monday January 26, 2021, 8:00pm, in an attempt to secure points to the next level.
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