Taifa Stars beaten by Morocco

Morocco claimed their first win of the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers on Saturday evening, defeating Tanzania 2-1 in Marrakech.

Taifa Stars

The victory does little for the Atlas Lions’ hopes of reaching Brazil next year, instead increasing the likelihood that Ivory Coast, who won away in Gambia earlier in the day, will finish top of Group C.

Morocco remain third in the pool, though they are now only a point adrift of second-placed Tanzania. The Elephants top the standings with 10 points, while Gambia are last with just one point.

South African referee Daniel Bennett played his part in the match, notably sending off Tanzania’s Aggrey Morris in the 38th minute.


The North Africans opened the scoring on 40 minutes through Abderrazak Hamdallah, who converted from the penalty spot.

Early in the second half Youssef El Arabi made it 2-0, effectively sealing the three points for the home side.

The Taifa Stars pulled a goal back through Amri Kiemba in the 62nd minute, but it proved no more than a consolation strike for the visitors.

Morocco will host Gambia next weekend, while Ivory Coast could seal progression into the next phase when they take on Tanzania in Dar Es Salaam.

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