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AFCON 2017: Morocco knocks out Defending Champions Ivory Coast

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AFCON 2017: Morocco knocks out Defending Champions Ivory Coast

Africa’s reigning champions Ivory Coast have been knocked out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after losing their final Group C tie 1-0 against Morocco in Oyem on Tuesday night.

The Elephants had been on a stale run since the start of the tournament, earning just two points from their first two group matches against Togo and DR Congo, and none from their defeat in their final encounter with Morocco.

Ivory Coast enjoyed most of the possession early on in the game, as they showed strong determination to advance to the last 8, and their best chance arrived in the 37th minute when Salomon Kalou showed great technical ability to put Wilfried Zaha into a shooting position, but the attacker was denied by a fine save from Munir Mohand.

Read Also: Algeria coach Leekens resign after Nations Cup exit

The only goal of the game came in at the 64th minute when substitute Rachid Alioui broke the deadlock with a brilliant long-range curler to qualify Morocco for the next round.

The champions failed to clinch a quarter-final spot alongside Togo, who were defeated in a concurrent game in Port-Gentil; while, DR Congo emerged group leaders with seven points followed by Morocco with six points.

As it stands, Morocco and DR Congo will face opponents from Group D – Ghana and either Egypt or Mali – which will be decided on Wednesday.

 

 

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