Well that was a poor game of football lit up by one moment of magic. Thanks for that Rachid Alioui. Morocco showed that they have the defensive nous to grind out the results needed to go deep into this competition. Herve Renard is working his wizardry once more. Thanks for your emails. Bye.
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DR Congo have won 3-1. They go through as group winners. Morocco as runners up.
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Full-time: Morocco 1-0 Ivory Coast
A corner that comes to nothing. Ivory Coast go out with a whimper. They were bloody awful – apart from Salomon Kalou. He was their one good thing.
90+ 3 min: Ivory Coast launch a long ball over the top that Kodjia manages to get half under control. He chases the bouncing ball into the box but never gets it under his spell which allows El Kajoui to push wide for a corner.
90+1 min: There will be three more minutes of this and then the holders, Ivory Coast, will be out.
90 min: En-Nesyr tries to chip Gbohouo from distance. He doesn’t. Then Boutiab replaces the matchwinner, Alioui, a substitute himself. An odd change? Maybe he’s injured. That would be a shame for Morocco – and the forward.
88 min: Aurier launches a long ball into the box that Da Costa clears at the second attempt. Then Benatia defends diligently after another aerial bombardment. Aurier then slices a wayward cross over towards the fans behind the goal.This isn’t happening for Ivory Coast.
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86 min: Mohamedi is booked for time-wasting. A few moments ago El Ahmadi was booked for a late challenge in midfield. Morocco are looking to spoil their way to victory here. They have every right to.
84 min: Serie, who has done the square root of naff all, is off. And in his place is Max Gradel, who was the hero two years ago when Ivory Coast needed a goal to qualify against Cameroon. They need two here. Well, what are you waiting for Max? Get busy.
82 min: Fajr is off and Obbadiat is on. He immediately puts a foot in and gives away a free-kick. He’s essentially been sent on like an attack dog and got his teeth bloodied nice and early.
81 min: Mendyl races away on the left wing and drives into the box. The angle narrows and he shapes to shoot but wallops the ball into the side-netting in the fashion befitting an overexcited 19-year-old. Which is what he is.
78 min: Ivory Coast are playing like a veterans’ team playing in a friendly. They look like they couldn’t care less. Morocco, for all that they have been negative for long stretches, at least look like they have a gameplan.
77 min: Kalou, Ivory Coast’s brightest player by a country mile tonight, picks the ball up in midfield and tricks one way and then the other before wining a free-kick. Ivory Coast play it short and left. the ball is crossed to Kalou at the back post, who leaps highest and tries to direct the ball to Kodjia on the back post, only for Morocco to clear.
75 min: That’s Zaha’s last act of this game – and probably this tournament. He’s replaced by Kodjia, the Aston Villa striker.
74 min: Da Costa nips in ahead of Kalou, as he had a foot cocked ready to shoot at goal. The ball ricochets out to Zaha. who looks to prod past El Kajoui, who smothers the ball back on to Zaha and out for a free-kick.
72 min: Jonathan Wilson is not impressed.
I'm loath just to blame coaches, but who on earth thought putting Michel Dussuyer in charge of Côte d'Ivoire was a good idea?
— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) January 24, 2017
69 min: Nothing. Aurier drifts the ball to the back post where Deli is offside as he heads it back across goal. Meanwhile, it’s 2-1 in the other game. A little something for Togo to take home with them.
68 min: Ivory Coast have pushed players forwards and appear to be trying to aim the ball in the direction of Bony and hope for the best. Die is fouled and a bit of a scuffle ensues, with some head-grabbing and posturing going on. The result is that that well-known hard man, Zaha, is booked. Not for anything heated but for mouthing off at the ref. Now, what can Ivory Coast do with the free-kick?
66 min: Well, Ivory Coast have to turn up now. They’ve looked about as interested as a music snob at a Brit-pop revival gig thus far.
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Goal! Morocco 1-0 Ivory Coast (Alioui 65)
What a goal this is. Morocco pick off possession in midfield and break at pace. The ball is played out to Nesyri, on the left, who plays a first time pass inside to Alioui, who should play a return pass to his team-mate but instead takes a touch, looks up and curls an absolute peach of a shot over the goalkeeper, marginally off his line, and into the top right corner. It’s beautiful. Well done.
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62 min: Both teams are doing a fine impression of treating the ball like an unpinned grenade.
59 min: Ivory Coast win a corner after a shot from miles out is deflected high and wide. The ball is pinged in to the near post, where Serey Die’s near-post header is plucked from the air expertly by El Kajoui just before Kalou can get his head on it. El Kajoui then crumples to the turf with a shoulder injury that helps waste a few minutes.
56 min: Mendyl, on a gallop, knocks the ball past Bailly, who absolutely clatters into the Morocco player, catching him with his thighs and sending him arcing up into the air and crashing down on the firm turf. He’s booked but he could very easily have been shown a red card on another day. It was reckless and cynical. It also broke up a promising move. One of the few promising moves this match has witnessed.
53 min: Ivory Coast are currently working their way up the right side of the pitch with a series of throw-ins. That’s how good this is. Meanwhile, DR Congo are 2-0 up and cruising against Togo.
52 min: Morocco win a free-kick over towards the right touchline. Fajr whips it in towards the penalty spot but he can’t find the head of Benatia nor Da Costa and Ivory Coast clear.
49 min: Morocco are trying to play a more patient possession game here. They’re frustrating Ivory Coast. So much so that Doukoure has been withdrawn and Jean Seri has come on in his place. He’ll offer a little more threat going forwards.
47 min: “I am watching Togo Congo at work and can confirm that this is also a snoozefest,” reports Toby Mason. “Congo’s goal however, did provide a bit of quality.” I doubt the lack of atmosphere in the stadiums helps to get the players’ pulses racing either. It’s what Jürgen Klopp hinted at when he said his Liverpool players were passive at Anfield. I’m sure players absorb the feeling from the stands. If fans are silent it follows that players might be a little docile too.
Peep!
45 min: It’s the second half. And there’s an early chance for Morocco when Kajoui flaps at a ball hoiked up into teh box only for it to land at Benatia’s feet. The Juventus full-back loops the ball back towards goal but he puts too much juice into it and it sails harmlessly over. Still, a bit of action.
My colleague Rob Smyth has done a little research that reveals winning the Cup of Nations perhaps puts the kaibosh on your chances in the next tournament.
Since Egypt won 3 in a row, the record of the defending Afcon champions is …
2012: Egypt failed to qualify
2013: Zambia out at group stage without winning a game
2015: Nigeria failed to qualify
2017: Ivory Coast possibly out at group stage without winning a game
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Philip Wainwright writes: “Evening Gregg, I’ve tuned in to a fair portion of the AFCON MBMs so far, and the majority I’ve seen are lamenting the urgency and overall quality of the games. Has this been the case throughout or am I just unlucky with the MBM choice?” From speaking to other MBMers, this has been the case for the most part although last night offered a bit of drama. The pitches don’t seem to help. The ball has bobbled around a fair bit tonight which doesn’t help to encourage zippy passing football.
Half-time
It can only get better. With Ivory Coast staring an ignominious exit in the face, it will have to get better. Even Elephants fight you know.
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45 min: Kalou is fouled after an ugly battle in midfield in which Morocco brought a pressing game late to the party. The ball into the box is very poor. The referee blows his whistle to bring an end to a pretty awful first 45 minutes.
44 min: Morocco have a brief scent of a counter-attack but Ahmadi plays a poor, overhit, ball down the line that Fajr chases more out of a sense of duty than the feeling that it’s worth him bothering his backside.
42 min: Bouhaddouz has picked up a knock and has been replaced by Alioui. Meanwhile, Kalou has just grazed the outside of the post after Aurier whipped a ball in from the left that was flicked on expertly by Bony to Kalou at the far post. Mohamedi had it covered, just about, but this is better from Ivory Coast. They won’t want this half to end. They’re thoroughly in control for once.
40 min: “Re: your post at 18:49. Pedantry alert!” howls Jason. “If Togo win by 2 clear goals over DR Congo, then they’re through regardless of the other result. This is because: if Ivory Coast vs. Morocco produces a winner, then the winner will top the group, and Togo will be on 4 points with DR Congo, and Togo wins the head-to-head tiebreaker (having beaten DR Congo); the loser of Ivory Coast vs. Morocco is irrelevant since they’re bottom on 2 or 3 points. If Ivory Coast vs. Morocco is a draw, then Togo, DR Congo, and Morocco are all on 4 points (Ivory Coast is out, bottom with 2 points). The matches between the 3 teams on 4 points would (first tiebreaker) result in another tie, all 3 teams having 3 points from the matches between them. Then the kicker: Morocco would have a +1 goal difference in those matches (can’t change, the Ivory Coast result is irrelevant), and Togo would have a better goal differential than DR Congo (having beaten DR Congo by 2 goals or more).” Erm, sorry to direct a yellow stream of liquid all over your pedantry parade but Togo are losing 1-0. Still, thanks for the email. At least you bothered. No one else has.
37 min: Kalou is starting to emerge as the chief threat for Ivory Coast. His fast feet take him past his marker as he drifts inside from the right before he shows razor-sharp feet to play a blink-and-you-miss-it two-touch pass to set Zaha free on goal. Zaha takes a touch and is quickly closed down causing him to sidefoot a weak shot straight at Mohamedi. He needed to open his body up and bend that. He didn’t.
34 min: Kalou and Zaha have switched wings in order to try to cause something, anything, to happen. He immediately has some success after skipping past his marker and poking the ball in towards Bony, but the centre-forward was on another wavelength and held back rather than gambling in the Gary Lineker style.
30 min: Goal! In the other game! Junior Kabananga has rifled one past Togo’s third keeper, Cédric Mensah, and the group leaders are heading through. Mensah is playing because Kossi Agassa refused to start after Togo fans attacked his house after the last game. Poor fella. It doesn’t change anything here. Ivory Coast need to win. Morocco need a draw or a win.
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29 min: Ivory Coast clear the ball off the line as Benatia steals in and directs an effort at goal. But he handballed it. And is booked for his moment of mischief.
27 min: Ivory Coast look ever so disjointed, like a collection of musicians with different song sheets. Nothing’s coming off. Morocco at least look like a team, even if they’re being a little more cautious in their approach. Morocco win a corner.
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25 min: Fajr clatters the bar with a brilliant effort! His right-footed fizzing shot has Gbohouo beaten all ends up as it slams into the bar and bounces back over the three Morocco players following up. Ivory Coast bundle the ball out for a corner. A corner that comes to nothing. That was a vicious free-kick.
24 min: Doukoure swipes at Bouhaddouz as he attempts to turn on the edge of the box and get a shot away. It’s a cynical foul and he’s lucky to escape a booking. Fajr stands over it in a lovely position just right of centre of goal 20 yards out.
20 min: There hasn’t been a shot on goal yet. There hasn’t been a telling pass either. Die has just done very well to dribble out of the Ivory Coast defence and set up an attack though. That kind of build up will at least draw a player or two and create space.
19 min: Morocco defend the corner very well at the near post. Serey Die recycles possession and pops the ball off to Aurier on the right wing. He gallops past his marker but his cross is scuffed into the side-netting.
18 min: Bony is dragged down by Saiss on the edge of the box. Ivory Coast have a free-kick on the left side of the penalty area. Kalou tries to ‘knuckleball’ it at goal in the Ronaldo style but his shot pops off the top of the wall and out for a corner.
16 min: Bouhaddouz ploughs a lone furrow up the left wing after being passed the ball and left to battle three Ivory Coast defenders on his own. His nearest team-mate is miles away. As you can imagine, he’s quickly robbed of possession.
13 min: Zaha wins a corner after swivelling away from Saiss on the right before the defender shows great tenacity to get back and block the Crystal Palace winger’s cross. Two poor corners later, Morocco have a goal-kick. Heard any good albums recently? Watched any good films? Sipped any good whisky? Do let me know.
11 min: Ivory Coast have been physically imposing so far but nothing more. Both teams have walloped long balls back and forth. It’s been a horrible opening to be honest. Someone – anyone! – needs to get their foot on the ball.
9 min: There’s brief panic in the Morocco box as Benatia decides it’s a great idea to try and dribble past Kalou near the corner flag only to be robbed of possession and left on his backside. Kalou drives into the box but Da Costa is over quickly and blocks with a fine sliding tackle. Benatia tried to grab hold of Kalou’s shorts as he fell over. He was lucky there. Could have been a penalty to Ivory Coast.
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7 min: Morocco win a free-kick on the left after a shove in the back by Bailly. Saiss whips the ball into the box but Gbohouo collects with cool authority.
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5 min: Ivory Coast have pinged a few high balls towards Bony. The big centre-forward has won each one but been unable to direct it to any of his team-mates. Zaha and Kalou need to get closer to him if that unlovely tactic is going to bear fruit.
3 min: It’s not been a manic start by any means. You wouldn’t guess it was a must-win group match. That said perhaps the cool approach is the best one for Ivory Coast given their precarious position. Mendyl just took an almighty heavy touch on the edge of the box but Ivory Coast couldn’t capitalise on it. Zaha tried to nick the ball but he kind of half tackled the ball and half chipped it, which meant it skewed off his foot and went miles over.
2 min: Ivory Coast win a free-kick after Saiss, of Wolves, leaves a foot in. Aurier looks to swing a ball in from a deep position on the right but it’s a poor ball and cleared easily by Morocco.
Peep!
1 min: Ivory Coast, in white, get things under way. They’re shooting from right to left on my telly. Morocco, in red, are going the other way.
The national anthems ring out around the stadium. Morocco’s is first up and seems to get the players’ juices flowing. Then it’s the turn of Ivory Coast. The starting XI are much more reserved as their jaunty tune quivers through the evening air. And now it is time for football!
The teams trot out on to the Stade d’Oyem turf. It’s a pretty small crowd, which is a shame because it’s pretty big match.
The table
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So in terms of the Group C permutations for tonight, DR Congo need a draw to qualify, Morocco need a win but a draw should be enough. Ivory Coast must win as must Togo, but Togo will then need other results to go their way in order to go through.
Team news
Morocco: Munir Mohamedi; Benatia, Da Costa, Saïss; Dirar, El Ahmadi, Boussoufa,
Mendyl; En Nesyri, Bouhaddouz, Fajr. Subs: Bounou, Chafik, El Arabi, Rherras, Boutaib, Ait Bennasser, Omar El Kaddouri, Attouchi, Obbadi, Carcela-Gonzalez, Alioui, El Kharroubi.
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo; Aurier, Kanon, Bailly, Deli; Doukoure, Kessie, Die; Zaha, Bony, Kalou. Subs: Mande, Pepe, N’Guessan, Kone, Seri, Angban, Sio, Kodjia, Gradel, Traore, Bagayoko, Sangare.
Referee: Néant Alioum
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Preamble
Evening. This is a big match. No, let me start that again. This is a BIG match. B-I-G! Having drawn their first two games the holders will be out unless they beat Morocco tonight. They’re third in the group on two points, a point behind Morocco and two points behind the leaders, Congo DR, who play bottom-placed Togo. They haven’t really got going. Not that Serge Aurier is worried. “We are calm. It is those outside the squad who are more worried,” he said. “We are here and we are trying to progress from one game to the next. We will do everything to try to qualify.”
Ivory Coast have been here before. In 2015 they drew their first two matches before beating Cameroon 1-0 to progress, so they have good reason not to panic. But they’ll need to up their tempo. They’ve looked a little ponderous at times. Michel Dussuyer will want to tighten up his defence too. Morocco put three past Togo in their last game so they know the way to goal well enough. But on their day, Ivory Coast have a squad more than strong enough to win this game.
And, as ever, there is narrative in tonight’s group match. The man in charge of the team who stand in their way, Herve Renard, guided Ivory Coast to the Afcon title in 2015. He’s since spent a short and unsuccessful spell at Lille before taking the Morocco job. If he guides his side into the knockout phase it will be the first time they have been there since 2004, when they reached the final. You wouldn’t bet against Renard doing the same again this year. He has a brilliant record and if he were to go all the way and win it with Morocco he would become the first coach to win the Afcon title with three different nations, having already guided Ivory Coast and Zambia (in 2012) to the trophy.
My prediction: Morocco 1-2 Ivory Coast
