A goal in each half by Lamlioui and Mohamed Rabie’s converted penalty ensured a runners-up spot for Morocco in group A of the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024.
Co-hosts Kenya go through as top of the group after their 1-0 win over Zambia at the Moi International sports Center.
Morocco against the DR Congo lived up to its billing as a clash of the titans at the Nyayo National Stadium, as both teams with four TotalEnergies CHAN titles between them, fought for a knockout spot.
The dynamics were straightforward for Morocco: win or draw and get automatic qualifications, and for the DR Congo, nothing less than a win would have counted.
The home-based Atlas Lions prefered to defend by attacking from the onset. They ook an early lead after an exquisite pass by Sabir Bougrine found Youssef Belammari who teed up Lamlioui for a depth touch to beat goalkeeper Egonge.
Coach Tarik Sektioui looked to have found a solution to nullify the Congo’s talisman, Kitambala, as the Leopards’ first effort on target came at the 25th minute. It was Basiala’s long drive, well saved by goalkeeper Harrar.
Teenager, Matobo was active on both flanks and it was his mesmerizing dribble that helped Congo level the game at the 43rd minute.
Having noticed shortage of supply at his traditional left wing, Matobo switched down the right where he beat Riahi inside-out and found Kitambala for a tap in.
Suddenly, his teammates starting finding the marksman after his goal. Full-back Mwimba found Jephté Kitambala who followed up his goal with a fierce left-footed shot kept out by Harrar at full stretch.
The first half had everything including an incredible 6 cautions, the highest in the in the first half of any game in this TotalEnergies CAF CHAN competition. Both sides got into the referees book 3 times, which included coach Otis N’Goma Kondi in the Congolese dugout, after a scuffle at the end of the first half.
Congo’s second half approach was indicative of how crucial a next goal could be in the tie.
Mwimba, who started the game in front for Congo’s regular left-back Papy Kokeleya, conjured up cross that found Kayembe for a free header that went wide.
Congo left spaces behind and Morocco nearly took the lead for a second time if not for Efonge’s point blank stop that kept out second half substitute, Khalid Baba at the 62nd minute.
Khalid Baba was making just the impact Tarik Sektiou sent him in for and his pace drew Ntambwe into a reckless tackle, adjudged and ruled as a penalty by Ousmane Diakité after review.
Efonge went the right way, but Mohamed Rabie had generated enough power to beat the keeper at the 70th minute.
In a desperate final 14 minutes of the second half, N’Goma introduced a triple substitution: Ntumba, Banga and Mwaku.
Despite changes made, Morocco banked on counter’s and managed to get a third through Oussama Lamlioui who completed his double at the 80th minute.
Congo bow out while Morocco will continue their journey in the competition where they face Co-hosts Tanzania.
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