The national futsal team made a fine start to the competition, beating their Angolan counterparts 5-2 on Thursday at the Palais des Sports hall in Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, on day 1 of Group A of the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which runs until April 21 in Morocco.
At the start of the match and in front of a full house, the Atlas Lions imposed their rhythm by monopolizing the ball throughout the first half, with several chances missing the top corner.
Hicham Dguig’s men were surprised by a goal from Hélber Garcia, before equalising a few minutes later through Idriss El Fenni’s free-kick.
Confident after the equaliser, the Atlas Lions showed their attacking face with several chances, before extending their lead through Soufian Charraoui.
From the restart, the Atlas Lions rolled out their attacking steamroller, putting the Angolan players under pressure, who conceded after goals from Anas El Ayyane and Soufian Charraoui, who scored a hat-trick. Anderson Fortes closed the gap for Angola.
The opening ceremony of this 7th edition of the CAN Morocco-2024, held ahead of the Morocco-Angola match, was full of color and light, highlighting the civilizational characteristics of the host city of Rabat, as well as the cultural aspects of Africa, to the rhythms of the continent’s music and song.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sport, Chakib Benmoussa, as well as CAF members and personalities from the world of sport.
In the other group match, Zambia had beaten Ghana (5-2) earlier in the day.
The eight teams qualified for this edition of the Futsal CAN have been divided into two groups. Group A includes two-time champions Morocco, Angola, Ghana and Zambia, while Group B comprises Egypt, Libya, Namibia and Mauritania.
The top three teams in this African competition will book their places at the FIFA Futsal World Cup to be held in Uzbekistan from September 14 to October 6.
Competitions at this continental futsal showpiece will be held at the Ibn Yassine Hall and the Palais des Sports at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
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