BSP-11 Win not enough to prevent shock Olympics exit by Morocco

245

ZCZC

BSP-11

FBL-OLY-2020-AFR

Win not enough to prevent shock Olympics exit by Morocco

JOHANNESBURG, March 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Morocco made a shock exit Sunday from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games football qualifying competition in Africa despite defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in Rabat.

The Congolese had won the first leg of the second round tie 2-0 four days ago in Kinshasa thanks to a Jackson Muleka brace and they qualified 2-1 on aggregate.

Sofiane Kiyine scored from a 27th-minute penalty for Morocco, but the Congolese did not buckle under constant second half pressure.

Morocco have competed at seven Olympic football tournaments, most recently in London in 2012, while DR Congo have never qualified.

Although DR Congo is among the top African countries at senior level, they have made little impact in age-limit competitions and Olympic qualifiers are restricted to under-23 players.

Tunisia midfielder Malek Baayou was given a straight red card in the 28th minute and his team struggled to a 1-0 win over South Sudan in Ben Guerdane after a goalless first leg.

The only goal of the return match came on 61 minutes when Nassim Hnid converted a penalty and the Sudanese were reduced to 10 men after the late sending off of Peter Sunday.

Guinea survived an onslaught away to Senegal and forced a 0-0 draw in Thies to qualify for the third round after establishing a 2-1 first-leg lead.

In Lusaka, Zambia completed a double over neighbours Malawi by winning 1-0 for the second time in five days and Fashion Sakala scored the only goal in both matches.

BSS/AFP/AU/15:55 hrs