U23 AFCON: 5 Key Takeaways As Ghana Receive Baptism of Fire From Morocco

In what was supposed to be a keenly contested, close-knit affair between Ghana and Morocco, the latter made light work of their West African counterparts in the ongoing U23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite both teams securing victories in their previous matches, it was the young Atlas Lions who dominated the battle for the top spot and qualification for the semi-finals.

Sports Brief examines five key talking points from Ghana's humbling defeat at the hands of Morocco, a nation experiencing a remarkable upsurge in football fortunes across various levels of the game.

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Football

Poor team selection costs Ghana

During Ghana's first match of the tournament against Congo, a swift tactical tweak executed at the beginning of the second half successfully rectified coach, Ibrahim Tanko's initial blunder with the starting line-up.

However, in their encounter with Morocco, luck was not on the side of the former Borussia Dortmund striker.

The hosts capitalised on a rapid start, taking advantage of the disoriented Black Meteors side, who appeared completely lost in the opening 30 minutes, Modern Ghana reports.

For Tanko this time around, the bench did not come to his rescue as none of his substitutes had the desired impact he had witnessed in the previous game.

Poor team structure and organisation

The consequences of poor team selection became glaringly evident as Ghana's overall structure and organisation suffered a major blow.

In a perplexing move, Emmanuel Essiam, the standout midfielder from the previous match, found himself on the bench, making way for Salim Adams.

This decision exacerbated an already unfavourable situation, allowing Morocco to dominate Ghana's midfield with ease. From a coaching standpoint, there seemed to be no clearly defined plan to contain the north Africans.

Coach Tanko now has to revisit the drawing board, carefully selecting the best starting line-up from the available pool of players.

Additionally, he must devise an effective approach for the crucial and decisive encounter against Guinea, as the team's fortunes now hang in the balance.

Abde is bound for greatness

Abde Ezzalzouli, the talented winger owned by FC Barcelona, has been the standout player in the tournament following two rounds of intense matches.

His exceptional speed, precise ball control, and goal-scoring prowess have truly blossomed at the U23 AFCON. Ezzalzouli showcased his destructive abilities against a struggling Ghana team, leaving their defence in disarray with his blistering runs.

Ahead of Morocco's clash with the Black Meteors, local reports hinted at Barcelona's cautionary advice, urging the 21-year-old to refrain from participating in the match.

However, it proved to be a worthy risk as Abde provided two assists and scored his third goal of the competition, justifying the gamble taken by his team, per SB Nation.

A controversial VAR moment

After shipping in three goals by the half-hour mark, coach Tanko's charges upped the ante and reduced the deficit through a Salim Adams deflected goal to start a mini-revival.

Shortly after, Sporting Lisbon forward, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, powered home a trademark goal from a distance.

With the scoreline shifting to 3-2, Morocco found themselves rattled as the Black Meteors surged forward, sensing victory. However, their hopes were abruptly shattered by the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee.

Replays accessible to the referee revealed the ball had indeed crossed the line before Emmanuel Yeboah's assist to Fatawu for the goal.

The decision to disallow the goal sparked controversy, as on any other day, it would have been allowed - potentially altering the course of the game's outcome.

Morocco is doing something right

Moroccan football has experienced a remarkable resurgence across various fronts, spanning club football, women's football, youth teams, and the senior national side.

The North African nation made history as the first team on the continent to break through the glass ceiling and reach the World Cup semi-finals at the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The women's national team has earned their place as one of Africa's representatives at the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup, showcasing the growth and talent within Moroccan women's football.

Furthermore, the U23 men's team is on the verge of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a promising opportunity that awaits them.

Nuamah, Yeboah help Ghana win

In news related to U23 AFCON, Sports Brief also reported on Ghana fending off Congo's late rally to secure a victory in their five-goal encounter recently.

Emmanuel Yeboah, who has been touted as the next Asamoah Gyan, proved to be the protagonist for a stunning three-goal blitz in the second half.