NAMIBIA’s amazing run at the 2018 Chan championships came to an end when they lost 2-0 to Morocco at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday evening.
Morocco striker Ayoub El Kaby scored the first goal on 36 minutes when a quick free kick caught Namibia’s defence asleep, while a Salaheddine Saidi header early on 52 minutes made it 2-0.
Namibia however fought till the end and were unfortunate to have a goal by Itamunua Keimuine on 69 minutes disallowed for an infringement.
Morocco did the early attacking and Badr Benoun nearly opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a header from a corner, but Namibian keeper Lloydt Kazapua pulled off a fine point blank save.
Walid El Karti and Ismail El Haddad came close for Morocco, but Namibia also had their chances, with an Iimbondi corner headed away while an Iimbondi cracker was well saved by the Moroccan keeper.
Morocco took the lead on 36 minutes when they caught Namibia’s defence sleeping, taking a quick freekick to put El Kaby clear who beat Kazapua from close range.
Morocco dominated possession and El Kaaby came close with a header from a corner shortly after the break before Saidi headed in from a corner seven minutes after the break.
Namibia pushed hard to come back, and were unlucky to have a goal disallowed on 69 minutes when Keimuine headed in from an Iimbondi free kick, but the referee disallowed the goal for an infringement in Morocco’s box.
In the final stages, Achraf Bencharki hit the crossbar while Dynamo Fredericks blasted over the bar with only the goalie to beat. Morocco however held on for the win to go through to the semifinals.
