The Atlas Lions toiled for most parts of the game to no avail and had to rely on a costly mistake from Itamunua Keimuine to get the much needed three points.

Morocco were mostly limited to long-range efforts which were comfortably handled by Namibian goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

The tie began at a somewhat fast pace with Morocco taking advantage of misplaced passes by Namibia and dominating possession.

Nabil Dirar had the first crack at goal for the Atlas Lions in the 10^th minute from a failed free kick clearance but his long-range attempt was saved by the fingertips of Lloyd Kazapua.

The Brave Warriors slowly got a piece of the action with their captain Ronald Ketjijere hitting one from outside the penalty area. He watched as his effort sailed wide off the mark. Morocco had a go once again in the 20^th minute with their talisman Hakim Ziyach playing a key role. The Ajax star dragged his shot low and wide, unable to pose problems for Kazapua.

Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri showed great skill to bring the ball down moments later but the attempt once again was severely lacking. His teammate Ziyech got another opportunity to find the net outside the penalty area in the 24^th minute and experienced the same result.

Both teams then slowed the pace down, trying to fully settle. Ziyech got another chance once again to break the deadlock in the 36^th minute and Kazpua was happy to see that effort go straight at him.

The Atlas Lions came in hard right after the restart. Nordin Amrabat stole the ball from Hanamub in a dangerous position and put in a sumptuous cross only to see it easily handled by Ryan Nyambe.

Morocco were pegging the debutants back to get the much-needed goal and got a chance in the 51^st minute. Mehdi Benatia set up Nordin Amrabat smartly but the winger’s effort was deflected for a corner.

Ziyech once again tried to beat Kazapua from long range in the 52^nd minute. The goalkeeper was, however, equal to it. Achraf Hakimi had a crack of his own outside the box four minutes later and his effort went wide. Substitute Sofiane Boufal tried to make an immediate impact from a corner at the hour mark and looked on as the opposition goalkeeper matched his attempt.

Romain Saiss got his head unto an inswinger from Ziyach and failed to give problems to Lloyd Kazpua. Kazpua was called into action in the 71^st minute and had his right leg to thank for keeping Ziyech’s deflected shot out. Boufal showed a brilliant piece of skill, skipping past an opposition defender and curling an effort but the ball went wide.

Morocco finally got a breakthrough in the 89^th minute. Hakim Ziyech sent in a dangerous set-piece and it was turned in by substitute Itamunua Keimuine.

The Warriors battled admirably to keep Renard’s men out but it was not to be in the end. 

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