Tournament favourite Morocco, in the hunt for their first AFCON title in almost 50 years, thrashed Tanzania in the Group F opener.
On Wednesday, the Atlas Lions of Morocco proved too strong as they brushed aside Tanzania 3-0 at the Stade Laurent Pokou In their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
The North Africans were dominant as they controlled the pace of the showdown against Taifa Stars, ranked 121 in global football.
The 2022 World Cup semifinalist took the lead after Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick was parried out by Salum Manula before it was tapped in by Morocco’s skipper Roman Saiss.
Things got worse for Tanzania when Novatus Miroshi was sent off with 20 minutes left before Azzedine Ounahi scored to double Morocco’s lead.
Youssef En-Nesyri converted Achraf Hakimi’s cross as they crapped up the victory.
In the day’s encounter, DR Congo and Zambia settle for a 1-1 draw in Group F’s second game on Wednesday evening.
DR Congo’s star Yoane Wissa was named Man of the Match by technical observers. All four sides are back in action again on Sunday.
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