The Moroccan national team, the host, defeated Mali 4-3 on penalties to face Egypt in the final of the U-23 African Cup of Nations today, Wednesday, and the two Arab teams qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Morocco squandered its lead twice in the original and extra time during the 2-2 draw, but it was lucky to win the penalty shootout.
⚽ Early progress for the Moroccan national team over its financial counterpart#Championship _ of _ African _ nations _ under _ 23 _ years old | #Morocco _ Mali #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/mIomSXHp3o
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 4, 2023
⚽Morocco regains progress and is close to the final of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations#Championship _ of _ African _ nations _ under _ 23 _ years old | #Morocco _ Mali #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/vzZjn579ff
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 4, 2023
⚽ The financial team responds quickly and returns the match to zero
#Championship _ of _ African _ nations _ under _ 23 _ years old | #Morocco _ Mali #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/l8EJys7BJ7
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 4, 2023
Zakaria El Wahidi gave Morocco the lead in the 14th minute, then Mamady Diambo equalized for Mali in the 66th minute.
The “Atlas Lions” thought they had sealed the victory when Amine El Ouazzani scored the goal to take the lead 2-1 in extra time, but Isoufi Maiga thwarted them with a quick equalizer.
⏯️ Watch the penalty shoot-out series for the Morocco-Mali match#Championship _ of _ African _ nations _ under _ 23 _ years old | #Morocco _ Mali#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/Us5fWHh8ER
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 4, 2023
And when the penalty shoot-out was decided, Abu Bakr Traore and Ahmed Diomandi, a Mali duo, hit the woodwork, while Osama Targhaline, Al-Wazzani, Taha Al-Idrisi and Abdel Samad Al-Zalzouli scored for Morocco, bringing joy to Rabat.
Egypt won 1-0 against Guinea on Tuesday to continue its title defense journey.
Mohamed Shehata scored the only goal for Egypt with a low shot on the edge of the penalty area in the eighth minute.
⚽ Mohamed Shehata puts the Egyptian national team ahead #Championship _ of _ African _ nations _ under _ 23 _ years old | #Egypt _ Guinea #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/0KJwFAsnzV
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 4, 2023
Mali and Guinea will meet in the match to determine the owner of the third direct qualification card, while the fourth-placed player will play the playoffs with an Asian team.
