Christantus Ejike of Nigeria
The African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2014 has reached the last eight of the tournament with the Super Eagles of Nigeria set to take on north Africans Morocco in the most high profile of the quarter-final matches. The match billed for the Free State Stadium, Mangaung will see both debutants battle for a place in the semi-final of the third edition of the tournament.
Hassan Benabicha’s side were on the verge of elimination having secured two points against Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe in their first two games but goals from Abdessamad Rafik, Mouhcine Iajour and Abdelkbir El Ouadi ensured they silenced the Cranes of Uganda 3-1 in their last group game played at the Cape Town Stadium. The result ensured they finished as Group B winners while Uganda crashed out of the competition. Morocco qualified for CHAN 2014 by beating Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate over two legs.
The Atlas Lions have seven players from Moroccan champions and FIFA World Club Cup finalists Raja Casablanca. The most dangerous of those players is striker Mouhcine Iajour who scored the all important second goal superbly against Uganda in their last match. Mouhcine was among the Club World Cup’s top scorers winning the bronze ball, after advancing with Raja Casablanca into the final played against European champions Bayern Munich.
The Super Eagles qualified for the last eight after finishing as runners-up in Group A with six points from three games behind Mali, who topped the section with seven points. The Super Eagles will go into the game as slight favourites given how well they have bounced back from a slow start to the competition.
Iajour Mouhssine of Morocco
Stephen Keshi’s charges lost 2-1 to Mali in their first game before superb performances saw them comprehensively outwit Mozambique and South Africa in their final two group games.
They smashed South Africa’s dreams of progressing beyond the group stages on Sunday, beating the hosts 3-1 and ensuring qualification to the next round. Ejike Uzoenyi opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 22nd minute, when he met Ifeanyi Ede’s pass from the left. Ede made it 2-0 for Nigeria with a 32nd-minute penalty after Gbolahan Salami was brought down by Moeneeb Josephs. Ejike Uzoenyi completed his brace in the 64th minute to give Nigeria a 3-0 lead before Bafana grabbed a consolation via a penalty. Nigeria were impressive in qualifying for the tournament fighting off Ivory Coast with a 4-3 aggregate score over two legs. The home leg was won 4-1.
Morocco relies on an organised defensive unit hoping to catch teams of Nigeria’s stature on the counterattack. Nigeria showed their attacking prowess against Mozambique and South Africa scoring seven goals. The Super Eagles will take the game to Morocco from the outset and should create ample opportunities to eventually claim the win and a spot in the semi-finals.
