By Mark Ogagan
Nigeria and Morocco played an evenly balanced goalless draw in a tightly contested CAF U20 Group B encounter at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The Atlas Cubs dominated possession and looked the more dangerous throughout, but couldn’t find a way past a well-organised Nigerian defence. Mohamed Ouahbi’s team had several promising chances, especially in the first half, yet lacked composure in front of goal.
Officiated by Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda, the game was marked by a flurry of fouls, and stoppages.
Morocco came closest to finding the back of the net in the second half, with Fouad Zahouani and Ayman Arguigue both squandering headed chances from inside the six-yard box. Nigeria responded with efforts of their own, including a long-range strike from Israel Ayuma and a header from Emmanuel Chukwu, both of which failed to trouble the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Substitutions and injuries interrupted the flow throughout the game, with players from both sides needing treatment late in the second half. Morocco’s Hossam Essadak and Nigeria’s Divine Oliseh were among those who left the pitch limping.
The second half saw more urgency from Morocco, but the end product was missing once again, as the final ball let them down.
The result leaves Morocco top of Group B with four points, ahead of Nigeria on goal difference. Tunisia are third with three points, while Kenya sit bottom with none.
In the other Group B encounter played earlier, Tunisia came from behind to claim a 3-1 victory over Kenya.
Second half goals from Farès Bousnina, Omar Ben Ali and Alaeddine Derbali secured all three points for the North Africans, after Lawrence Ouma had given Kenya a 1-0 lead at half time.
Tunisia’s win lifts them to three points in Group B ahead of their decisive game against Morocco on Wednesday, while Nigeria takes on Kenya.
Discussion about this post