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Great favorites on paper, the "Atlas Lions" have long stumbled on the Namibian defense, before making the difference on a goal against his camp striker Itamunua Keimuine after 88 minutes of play. In a group Morocco has taken the essential, while its adversary of the day can feed regrets.
Little finger of their hen, the Namibians came close to the draw against Moroccan domineering from start to finish, but (very) long unable to score. Blame it on a strong Brave Warriors defense in almost every important moment.
Almost, as Lloyd Kazapua's cages finally gave up two minutes to the end of regulation time, a Moroccan free kick diverted into his own net by the Namibian striker Itamunua Keimuine, coming into play just eight minutes ago. The 26-year-old can be so upset that he was behind the blame that led to this disastrous free kick.
Until then, this first match of group D seemed to be moving slowly towards a sharing of the points virgin goals, with a scenario constantly repeated: "lions Atlas" dominating, offering opportunities, free kicks and corners in shambles, without ever succeeding to cross the last lines of defense, despite the support of a few thousand supporters.
The fault of a Namibia who knew how to stick to his game plan for not far from 90 minutes, his defense picked up and especially the very good job of his goalkeeper, as solicited as solid. If he could not do anything on the goal, Lloyd Kazapua had previously stopped no less than 5 Moroccan shots, including two of the tip of the shoe on particularly dangerous actions.
Hakim Ziyech and Nordin Amrabat hyperactive
On the Moroccan side, in the absence of efficiency, we can salute the commitment of players who have never been discouraged. Hakim Ziyech and Nordin Amrabat, in particular, stood out for their incessant activity. The first person, who was arrested, varied his tactics, tried to innovate his trajectories and finally defeat the opposing wall. An obstinacy that paid off, since he finished decisive passer on the only goal of the game. Powerful and especially framed, his shot far could probably have returned directly.
As for the second, he seemed to be present in every corner of the field, from the first to the last minute, sometimes to the limit of the fault elsewhere. This was certainly a sterile agitation, but it prevented the Namibians from being dangerous during their few incursions into the opposing penalty area.
For Morocco, the hardest remains to be done
The three points in hand, the men of Hervé Renard will not really have time to breathe. In a difficult group D, they must quickly reconcentrate before facing Côte d'Ivoire Friday, June 28 (17hTU) and South Africa three days later (16hTU) in Cairo.
Those who refuse the label of favorite will still have to assert themselves with more authority on the ground, on pain of risking another disillusionment, 43 years after their last and only victory at the CAN.
► To read also: CAN 2019, Calendar, results and standings of the Africa Cup