The Morocco U-23 national team kicked off the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts with a comeback 2-1 win over Guinea U-23 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Saturday night.
The Atlas Lions were brought to their knees towards the end of the first half when Olympiacos forward Algassime Bah opened the floodgates gates in added time, sending shock waves across the Moroccan capital.
It looked like the West Africans, who knocked out 1996 Olympic champions Nigeria during the qualifiers, were going to take all three points but it was not to be as Morocco equalised from the penalty spot in the 68th minute courtesy of Osasuna winger Abde Ezzalzouli.
The game seem primed to end 1-1 but it was not as Morocco were awarded another penalty in the eighth additional minute after consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Abde stepped up again to take it and converted to complete his brace.
Guinea thought they had equalised for 2-2 almost immediately after the ball crossed the line before being hacked away but the goal did not stand.
FULL-TIME ⏰
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli leads a dramatic Morocco comeback to get all 3 points vs Guinea!
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— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 ???? (@CAF_Online) June 24, 2023
The victory gives Morocco early control in Group A of the 2024 Olympics qualification tournament, with Ghana and Congo set to meet in the other group encounter on Sunday while in Group B, defending U-23 AFCON champions Egypt take on Niger and Mali tackle Gabon.
