Morocco started their 2023 African Cup of Nations campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win over Tanzania a Group F game played on Wednesday night at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro CityTanzania started the first few minutes strongly. However, after two off-target attempts and a won corner kick, they were tamed as Morocco took charge of the proceedings, pinning the East Africans into their own half.##NAJAVA_MECA_7805364##The chances were few apart until the 30th minute when Hakim Ziyech was fouled just outside the penalty area. The forward stepped forward to take the free-kick; Aishi Manula did well to save, but Morocco captain Romain Saiss was well-placed to fire home on the rebound.Tanzania responded by making an attacking change. Simon Msuva, who had shockingly been left on the bench, was introduced for the below-par Tarryn Allarakhia as coach Adel Amrouche tried to trouble a rather relaxed Morocco backline.However, not much changed for the remainder of the first leg as Morocco took a 1-0 lead into the interval. Tanzania made their second change before the interval, with Mudathiri Yahya being rested for Morice Abraham.Six minutes into the second half, Morocco had a chance to double their lead, but Youssef En-Nesyri somehow failed to hit the target. Tanzania appeared to step up a little after the interval, but they still did not create a real threat for the 2022 World Cup semifinalists.Taifa Stars’ hopes of getting something out of the game were diminished in the 70th minute when Novatus Miroshi was sent off for a second booking, leaving his teammates with a mountain to climb. AFCON 2023: Ayew, Msakni make history in Ivory CoastIt was one way from that point and world cup star Azzedine Ounahi made it 2-0 in the 77th minute and three minutes later lead striker, Youssef En-Nesyri made it 3-0 to compound Taifa Stars’ misery.AFCON 2023- GROUP STAGESaturdayIvory Coast – Guinea B. 2-0 (1-0)/Fofana 4, Krasso 58/SundayNigeria – Equatorial Guinea 1-1 (1-1)/Osimhen 38 – Salvador 36/Egypt – Mozambique 2-2 (1-0)/Mohamed 2, Salah 90+7 pen – Witi 55, Bauque 58/Ghana – Cape Verde 1-2 (0-1)/Djiku 56 – Monteiro 17, Rodrigues 90+2/MondaySenegal 3-0 Gambia (1-0)/Gueye 4, Camara 52, 86/Cameroon 1-1 Guinea (0-1)/Magri 51-Bayo 10/Algeria – Angola 1-1 (1-0)/Boundedjah 18 – Mabululu (p) 68/TuesdayBurkina Faso – Mauritania 1-0 (0-0)/Traore 90+5/Tunisia – Namibia 0-1 (0-0)/Hotto 88/Mali – S.Africa (0-0)/Traore 60, Sinayoko 66/Wednesday20.00: (1.30) Morocco (5.80) Tanzania (12.0)23.00: (2.40) Dr Congo (3.20) Zambia (3.40)***odds are subject to change***17.00: (1.75) Burkina Faso (3.60) Mauritania (5.70)20.00: (1.40) Tunisia (4.60) Namibia (10.5)23.00: (2.15) Mali (3.25) S.Africa (3.90)WednesdayMorocco 3-0 Tanzania/Saiss 30, Ounahi 77, En-Nesyri 80/23.00: (2.40) Dr Congo (3.20) Zambia (3.40)***odds are subject to change***
