The Atlas Lions roared to their second win of the tournament with a decent performance against Comoros. An early goal from Amallah and the late second from Aboukhal settled the match and gave Morocco the points, but it was The Coelacanths goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina who stole the show with a penalty save from Youssef En-Nesyri and a host of other eye-catching saves that kept his nation in the chase until the end. The former beach soccer player was undoubtedly the man of the match as Comoros stood up to one of the best teams on the continent.Comoros’ Salim Ben Boina with one of the best triple saves you’ll ever see in world football #CAN2021 #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/DUbUxEEPTA— 🇨🇩🇸🇱 (@F1avs) January 14, 2022 Yes, Morocco won and yes, they deserved for the manner in which they controlled the match for the majority of the game. But if points were awarded for bravery, effort and the ability to compete against much-fancied opponents – then Comoros certainly wouldn’t be bottom of their group in their maiden Africa Cup of Nations appearance.Selim Amallah made sure that Morocco’s initial pressure paid off in the most desirable way – with a goal. The Belgian-born midfielder made the most out of Comoros’ failure to clear their lines following a cross into the box as he controlled a loose ball, taking a touch before firing into the far corner of Salim Ben Boina’s net.Morocco controlled the game for the remainder of the game with the AFCON debutants Comoros trying their best to mount a counter-attack that would give them a chance to get back into the game and snatch an unlikely point.
The Atlas Lions kept pushing forward to try and get that crucial second goal that would probably put the game beyond doubt, but a combination of poor finishing, a general lack of concentration in the Yaounde heat and Ben Boina’s heroics have kept their coach Vahid Halilhodzic nervous on the touchline.Morocco had a great chance to score from the spot, but Ben Boina, the goalkeeper of French fourth-tier team FC Martigues, kept his nerve and produced a great save from Sevilla’s superstar Youssef En-Nesyri.Comoros hero Salim Ben Boina is a former beach soccer goalkeeper. #MARCOM #AFCON2021 #AfrykaGra pic.twitter.com/fVwgyp9LNL— Lotfi Wada (@LotfiWada) January 14, 2022 However, as all fairy tales end, so had ended The Coelacanths’ hopes of holding the North African powerhouse. But their road in Cameroon isn’t over yet – they’ve still got the game against Ghana to tackle.As for Morocco, everything is going according to plan so far. Six points after their first two games see them progress to the knockouts – but they will need to improve their finishing when they come against some of the stronger opponents in the tournament.AFRICA CUP OF NATIONSGroup CFridayMorocco – Comoros 2-0 (1-0)/Amallah 16, Aboukhlal 88/22:00: (4.30) Gabon (3.15) Ghana (2.10)***odds are subject to change