CHAN 2020: Morocco retains its title against Mali
Moroccan Soufiane Bouftini, scorer in the CHAN 2020 final © Courtesy of CAF
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
4 min
The Moroccan team won the CHAN 2020 on February 7, 2021 in Yaoundé.
The Moroccans beat the Malians 2-0 in the final of this continental football tournament reserved for local players.
Morocco, already crowned at CHAN 2018, becomes the first selection to retain its title in the African Nations Championship.
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Morocco entered the history of African football on February 7, 2021 in Yaoundé.
The Atlas Lions became the first team to win the African Nations Championship twice in a row, a continental competition reserved for local players.
After the CHAN 2018, which the Moroccans had won at home, they did indeed reoffend during the "CHAN 2020"
[1]
in Cameroon.
But they suffered to achieve this in a final against Mali very involved.
Malians without complexes
At the start of the meeting, Morocco multiplied the set pieces.
In the 19th minute, following a free kick combination, Soufiane Rahimi shoots low, but goalkeeper Djigui Diarra is on the parade.
The Malians then emboldened.
Physically, they then absolutely do not give the impression of having played grueling extra time, in the quarter-final against Congo-Brazzaville (0-0, 5-4 TAB) then in the semi-final against Guinea (0- 0, 5-4 TAB).
In the 23rd, striker Moussa Koné goes to the limit of offside but the goalkeeper Anas Zniti comes out in his feet.
Shortly after, Demba Diallo shoots from far but far above (26th).
In the 38th, Moussa Koné tries a difficult diving header but does not fit more.
The Eagles, without complex, play with determination and aggressiveness.
And with some success.
Because in the 53rd minute, Issaka Samaké unbalances Rahimi in the penalty area.
The defender, who has already narrowly escaped exclusion in the first period, is not further sanctioned.
Despite the use of video assistance, referee Peter Waweru does not call a penalty.
Soufiane Bouftini finds the fault
Moroccans do not protest.
They seem to be suffering against Mali, despite a greater freshness.
In the 57th minute, on a free kick from the left, Sadio Kanouté rises higher than everyone but does not frame his header.
In the 64th, launched in depth, Moussa Koné resists the charge of a Moroccan defender but Zniti still saves his family.
The Atlas Lions have the merit of remaining lucid, unlike the opposing rearguard.
In the 69th minute, on a corner from the right, Soufiane Bouftini was the fastest and opened the scoring with a header for Morocco: 0-1.
Blow of hammer for the Malians who give in on another corner, ten minutes later.
This time it is Ayoub El Kaabi, top scorer and best player of CHAN 2018, who doubles the lead, at close range: 0-2, 79th.
Mali lost in the final, as at CHAN 2016, and will have to wait a little longer before winning a continental football competition among seniors.
Moroccans can rejoice.
They won the CHAN 2020 after having dominated this final phase, with 5 wins, 1 draw, 15 goals scored and 3 conceded.
CHAN 2020: CALENDAR AND TOURNAMENT RESULTS
[1] The African Football Confederation has decided that the competition will continue to be called TOTAL African Nations Championship Cameroon 2020, despite the tournament being postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19.
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