Hosts Morocco secured a narrow but important 1-0
victory over Cameroon on Sunday evening to qualify for the semi-finals of the
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tense quarter-final clash took place at the
Mohammed VI Football Complex, where the young Atlas Cubs delivered a
disciplined performance to keep their hopes alive of winning the continental
title on home soil.
Cameroon nearly shocked the home crowd in the 13th
minute when forward Arnold Massokon broke through Morocco’s defence, but the
striker failed to convert the promising opportunity.
Morocco responded quickly and capitalised on the
missed chance just minutes later. In the 17th minute, Mohamed Habib Zenbi
calmly finished past the goalkeeper to give the hosts the decisive lead.
After the break, Cameroon intensified pressure in
search of an equaliser, relying heavily on physical play and aerial attacks to
trouble the Moroccan defence.
Massokon came close again in the 69th minute with a
dangerous header, but Morocco’s defence remained solid under pressure.
Led by captain Ismail El Aoud, the hosts defended
bravely in the closing stages and successfully protected their slim advantage
to seal a clean-sheet victory.
With the result, Morocco progressed to the semi-finals
where they will face either Senegal or Mali at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
The victory further boosts Morocco’s ambition of
lifting the U-17 AFCON trophy in front of their home supporters.
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