By Brian Mboh
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Tarik Tissouadali’s 75th minutes late goal gave Morocco a 1-1 draw from the first leg of the Qatar 2022 World Cup play-offs against DR Congo at the Des Martyrs Stadium. The home team have been looking to book their place in the global soccer tournament since 1974.
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa gave the hosts the opening lead in the 12 minute of play, thanks to a ball deflection off the head of the Atlas Lions skipper Romain Saiss. That is the way it remained until half-time, but the boys of Vahid Halilhodzic fought back in the second half.
DR Congo finished the game with 10 men after Glody Ngonda was dismissed for a second yellow card at the 80 minute .The Moroccans were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute after a scroll handball. But the shot was blazed over the bar by Ryan Mmae.
Moments later Archraf Hakimi put a header narrowly wide of the DR Congo goal. The Congolese continued pressing, just four minutes to end time Bakambu had another chance to score but his header was well saved by Bounou.
The second leg takes place on Tuesday March 29, at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. The Moroccans are aiming for a sixth overall World Cup participation.
The qualification stage was a smooth sail for Morocco, scoring 20 goals and conceding just once with 18 points . And emerging overall best team in that phase.
Hector Cuper’s experienced team qualified for this phase after topping group J, with 11 points ahead of Benin and Tanzania. They won three games, drew two and lost one to book a ticket for the play-offs.
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