Morocco spanks Namibia

Accra, Jan 21, GNA - The Atlas Lion of Morocco outclassed Namibia and spanked them 5-1 on match day two of the 26 African Cup of Nations underway in Ghana.

The Moroccans proved too hot for their opponents whose quality drew question marks on how they managed to qualify for the biennial championship.

The North Africans had everything working to perfection on a day that Alloudi Soufiane grabbed a hat-trick.

Alloudi started business early for the victors when he scored the first goal on two minutes after he gifted from playmaker Chamakh Marouane's hard work that hit the post and rebounded to him. He hit the back of the net again three minutes on by tearing his makers into shreds in a move that drew several defenders into the fray. But Namibia gave the scanty crowd that gathered the arena to support their cause a false sense of hope in the 23rd minute when an individual effort by Brendell Brain Guilbert saw him terrorizing two defenders in succession before scoring their only goal. With Namibia looking settled and hopeful of equalizing in a matter of time, Alloudi was to strike again in the 28th minute. As if that was not enough, Morocco threw everything into the game with another goal beckoning with every move.

It was with little surprise that Sektioui Tarik got the fourth from the spot after progressive Michael Basser was fouled within the Namibian box with six minutes to recess.

Substitute Zarka Monsef wrapped up the game in the 74th minutes with a solo run from the middle. Morocco's captain, Sarfi Youssef won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match award.

Morocco by the victory has jumped to the summit of Group A ahead of Ghana with superior goal aggregate.