Ouazane brace inspires Morocco to quarter-final and FIFA U-17 World Cup place
Morocco finished top of Group A in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday evening after securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Tanzania to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition as well as the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The victory over the East Africans sealed Morocco’s impressive Group campaign which sees them finish top of the group alongside Zambia whom they edge on better goal difference.
With the match headed for a stalemate as both sides struggled breaking each other’s defense, Ilies Belmokhtar fired the North Africans into the lead in the 76th minute, a goal that put Morocco in a comfortable position knowing that a draw would be sufficient to see them through to the next round.
The concession resulted in a much open match, with Tanzania sending more numbers forward – a tactic that backfired terribly as they opened up at the back for Abdellah Ouazane to secure brace with goals in the 81stand 84th minute.
Ouazane’s brace sealed a clinical display by Morocco who not only advance to the quarter-finals but celebrate a ticket to the newly expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The defeat to Tanzania was the third and sees their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON campaign sadly come to an end.