Morocco beat plucky Namibia with last-gasp own goal

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Namibia's Denzil Haoseb in action with Morocco's Khalid Boutaib REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

CAIRO (Reuters) - A last-minute own goal handed Morocco a narrow 1-0 victory over plucky Namibia at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday in a far-from-convincing start from one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Substitute Itamunua Keimune botched an attempted clearance and headed the ball into his own net at the end of a free kick from Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech in the 89th minute of the opening Group D game at the Al Salam Stadium.

Morocco coach Herve Renard, who has won two Cup of Nations titles, had warned that the opening game for many of the tournament favourites may be difficult and his forecast proved true as Namibia goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua produced several key stops.

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Morocco's Mbark Boussoufa celebrates after Namibia's Itamunua Keimuine scored an own goal and Morocco's first REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

But his heroics did not extend to the last minute as Morocco took all three points in fortuitous circumstances.

The free kick evaded several defenders before the bounce caught out Keimune who inadvertently steered it past his own goalkeeper in a heartbreaking outcome for underrated Namibia, playing in just their third Cup of Nations.

Kazapua saved several efforts throughout the game, including a quick-thinking scramble with an outstretched leg in the 72nd minute, to keep Morocco at bay, with the 47th-ranked team in the world expected to have a comfortable start.

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Morocco's Achraf Hakimi in action with Namibia's Petrus Shitembi REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Morocco dominated a game in hot temperatures where the tempo was languid but looked increasingly desperate as the game wore on.

Renard brought on three strikers in the second half with Sofiane Boufal proving lively but also off-target with his efforts.

The other two teams in Group D -- Ivory Coast and South Africa -- play their opening game on Monday.

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Namibia's Larry Horaeb in action with Morocco's Mbark Boussoufa REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Namibia's Lloyd Kazapua receives treatment from medical staff REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Morocco's Khalid Boutaib and Hakim Ziyech and team mates celebrate after Namibia's Itamunua Keimuine scored an own goal and Morocco's first REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti reacts REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations 2019 - Group D - Morocco v Namibia - Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 23, 2019 Namibia's Riaan Hanamub in action with Morocco's Hakim Ziyech REUTERS/Suhaib Salem