CAIRO – Benin qualified for the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for the first time in their history after shocking favourites Morocco 4-1 on post-match penalties, at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Friday evening.
The teams were locked at 1-1 after regulation time and extra-time could not separate the sidLes Écureuils, as Benin are known, scored their penalties through Olivier Verdon, David Djilga, Anane Tidjani and Seibeou Mama. The Atlas Lions on their end scored only one of their penalties through Oussama Idrissi.
The team’s most dependable players in attack Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En-Nessyri both missed as Morocco paid the penalty for their complacency. Benin only qualified to the round of 16 after a final day 0-0 draw with defending champions Cameroon squeezed them through as one of the best four third-placed teams.
Morocco coach Herve Renard’s hope of making history by becoming the first coach to win the Afcon title with three different teams came up in smoke as his Moroccan outfit came up short.
The North Africans should have themselves to blame after they won a penalty in the final minute of regulation time, but star winger Hakim Ziyech saw his kick come off the outside of the post. A rash challenge from skipper Stephane Sessegnon on En-Nessyri saw the referee point straight to the spot.
Read more at: https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/benin-shock-mighty-morocco-with-penalty-shootout-win-28753317
