CHAN: Morocco beat DR Congo 3-1 to reach qarter-finals
Two-time winners Morocco booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship, PAMOJA 2024 after a commanding 3-1 triumph over DR Congo at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The victory sealed the Atlas Lions’ passage from Group A alongside hosts Kenya, who earlier edged Zambia 1-0 to claim top spot.
High-Stakes Showdown
Heading into the decisive round of group matches, the pressure was immense. Kenya led the group with seven points, while Morocco and DR Congo, both former two-time champions, sat neck-and-neck on six points each.
The equation was clear: Morocco required only a draw, while the Leopards had no option but victory.
DR Congo started brightly but were stunned after just eight minutes when Oussama Lamlaoui pounced on Youssef Belammari’s low cross to give Morocco an early advantage.
The Congolese kept pressing and were rewarded two minutes before the break, as Jephté Kitambala scrambled home an equaliser to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Morocco Take Control
After the restart, Morocco regained their composure and soon found a breakthrough. The game’s turning point came in the 66th minute when Magloire Ntambwe clattered into Khalid Baba inside the box.
Following a VAR review, Mohamed Hrimat confidently converted the penalty, restoring the Lions’ lead.
With DR Congo forced to attack, Morocco capitalised on the spaces left behind. Lamlaoui struck again in the 80th minute, slotting in Youssef Mehri’s cut-back to make it 3-1 and all but secure the result.
Although the Atlas Lions briefly thought they had a fourth, VAR chalked it off for offside. By then, the Leopards’ hopes had faded. Despite late changes and desperate attacks, they could not mount a comeback.
Morocco’s assured performance means they march into the last eight brimming with belief, while DR Congo exit the tournament with regret.