Yaounde, Jan. 26 (BNA): Achraf Hakimi curled a long-range free kick as Morocco came from behind to beat Malawi 2-1 in the Round of 16 of the African Nations Cup on Tuesday and remain on course for the first time. An African title in over 45 years.
Hakim’s fine kick completed a turn at Ahmedou Ahigo Stadium after Youssef Al-Nusairi equalized at the end of the first half, Reuters reported.
Malawi took an early lead after a world-wide goal scored by Frank Mango, who fired with his left foot from 40 meters and watched happily as the skewed ball hit Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and smashed into the net.
Morocco meets either Ivory Coast or Egypt in the quarter-finals in Yaounde.
After a tournament full of surprises, Malawi threatened to cause another as Mango scored a stunning goal in the seventh minute.
Then he had another chance from a quick counter-attack in the 23rd minute to double the lead as low-ranked Malawi, who had only entered the Nations Cup for the third time and moved past the first round for the first time, looked to have changed dramatically. Imaginary opponents.
However, they soon fell back after that and lived a glamorous life, defending insistently, with goalkeeper Charles Thom making several unorthodox saves to keep his team’s lead intact.
However, he let an Nasiri header slip away to equalize Morocco two minutes into first-half stoppage time and had little to do about Hakimi’s rocket-like free kick.
In between then there were several fine cuts as Sofiane Boufal missed an easy opportunity and substitute Ryan Mami fired wide from close range.
Morocco, which won its only Nations Cup in 1976, has experienced a horrific run in the tournament since reaching the 2004 final and losing to hosts Tunisia. In six tournaments since then, they have reached the quarter-finals only once.
Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire meet in the round of 16 match in Douala on Wednesday.