AFCON 2021: PSG Star Achraf Hakimi Scores one of the Goals of the Tournament vs Gabon

AFCON 2021: PSG Star Achraf Hakimi Scores one of the Goals of the Tournament vs Gabon

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
In this article:
CAF Africa Cup of Nations logo
CAF AFCON
Africa
  • Hakimi scored a contender for goal of the tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations
  • The PSG fullback scored from a direct free kick to help Morocco salvage a draw against Gabon in Group C
  • Both Morocco and Gabon are through to the last 16 of the competition

The Africa Cup of Nations has certainly sparked to life after a fairly dull start to proceedings on January 9.

AFCON 2021
Hakimi salvaged a draw for Morocco with a stunning free kick against Gabon. Photo by Visionhaus.
Source: Getty Images

Goals are now flowing from almost every match, and that was no different on Tuesday, January 18 during the Group C clash involving Gabon and Morocco.

As a matter of fact, the entire group was full of drama in the final group games, which were played simultaneously.

On one end, Ghana suffered a dramatic exit from the Africa Cup of Nations after falling to a 3-2 defeat to newbies Comoros in what was the shock of the tournament so far.

It was a match that saw Andre Ayew shown a straight red card in the first half, following a VAR review.

In the same group, Gabon and Morocco played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, a result that saw both teams qualify for the last 16 of the competition.

Gabon opened the scoring through Jim Allevinah, and Morocco were in search of the equaliser until the 73rd minute, when Sofiane Boufal converted from the penalty spot.

The teams did not stay level for too long as Gabon once again went ahead, this time through an own goal from Morocco's Naif Aguerd.

With the game headed for a famous win for Gabon, the best moment of the contest was yet to come.

With six minutes of regular time left to play, Paris Saint Germain’s right wing back Achraf Hakimi netted what is arguably the best goal of the tournament so far.

Hakimi scored from a direct free kick as he saw his powerful effort curl past the Gabon goalkeeper from quite some distance out.

The goal sent Morocco players and fans into a frenzy, as the Atlas Lions maintained their unbeaten run in the group stages.

With Ghana out and defending champions Algeria also on the verge of a shock elimination, Morocco will certainly be considered one of the favourites at this point.

Ghana legend Gyan disappointed by AFCON exit

Meanwhile, Ghana’s all-time goalscorer Asamoah Gyan was distraught after his nation exited from the AFCON early.

Ghana for the first time since 2006, have been eliminated from the group stages of AFCON after losing to debutants Comoros on Tuesday night.

Gyan, who works with South Africa's SuperSport TV channel, expressed disappointment, describing the team's display as 'not-Ghanaian'.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.