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AFCON Qualifiers: Morocco Secures Dramatic 1-0 Win Over Lesotho
Atlas Lions Qualify for 2023 AFCON
Morocco's Road to Victory
In a nail-biting encounter, Morocco emerged victorious over Lesotho in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, securing their place in the tournament. The match, held at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, witnessed a tense battle between the two sides.
Morocco dominated possession and created several chances, but they struggled to break down Lesotho's resolute defense. The deadlock was finally broken in the 80th minute when Ayoub El Kaabi's header found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Lesotho gave a valiant effort throughout the match, but Morocco's quality proved too much in the end. The victory marked Morocco's second consecutive win in the qualifiers, solidifying their position at the top of Group K.
Significance of the Win
This victory holds significant implications for Morocco's AFCON ambitions. By qualifying for the tournament, the Atlas Lions have secured their chance to defend their title, having won the 2022 edition in Cameroon.
The win also boosts Morocco's FIFA ranking and gives them valuable experience ahead of the upcoming tournament. With a talented squad and a track record of success, Morocco will be among the favorites to lift the trophy in 2023.
Path to Qualification
Morocco's qualification journey began in June 2022 with a 2-1 victory over South Africa. They followed it up with a 1-0 win over Liberia in September. The victory over Lesotho sealed their qualification, with one match remaining in the group stage.
Morocco will now face South Africa in their final group match on March 28, 2023. A win or a draw will see them finish top of the group, while a loss could potentially see them drop to second place.
Morocco's AFCON Record
Morocco has a rich history in the AFCON, having won the tournament once in 1976. They have also finished runners-up on two occasions, in 2004 and 2019.
In the 2022 edition, Morocco defeated Egypt 2-1 in the final to claim their first title in over 40 years. They will be hoping to replicate that success in 2023 and cement their status as one of the continent's top teams.