Morocco and Egypt have booked their spots in the final of the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations after their respective semi-final 4-3 (penalty shootout) and 1-0 victories over Mali and Guinea on Tuesday night.
The Atlas Lions came into the game with a 100% record in the tournament so far but were put to the test by the Syl Nationale.
Zakaria El Ouahdi gave the Moroccans the lead in the 14th minute which remained that way until Mamady Diambou equalised for the Guineans in the 66th minute.
The game went into extra time and Amani El Ouazzani restored Morocco’s lead in the 108th minute but it was shortlived as Issoufi Maiga made it 2-2 for Guinea eight minutes later.
In the penalty shootout, Boubacar Traore missed Guinea’s first penalty while Ahmed Diamonde missed the fifth and final penalty. Morocco were flawless, converting all their four spot kicks to perfection.
A dramatic day worthy of #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 semi-finals ????
Take a look at the results of the day ???? pic.twitter.com/CL70ANaC5a
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 ???? (@CAF_Online) July 5, 2023
In the other semi-final, Mohamed Shehata’s eighth minute strike was more than enough to make it back-to-back U-23 AFCON final appearances for Egypt.
They will now be hoping to become the first team to win consecutive titles and the first team to win two titles when they clash with tournament hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Saturday.
ONE. MORE. STEP. ????
???????? ???? ???????? #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/BYUnyw6cdz
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 ???? (@CAF_Online) July 5, 2023
Guinea and Mali will face off in the third/fourth place match in an all-West African affair at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier on Friday for the last chance to seal automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
