barfly
27-01-04, 15:10
MONASTIR, Tunisia (AP) _ Morocco stunned a lethargic
Nigeria 1-0 on Tuesday when substitute Youssef Hadji scored
a late goal to clinch the biggest upset of the African Cup
of Nations so far.
In the 77th minute, the Bastia forward took a deep pass
from Abdelkrim Kissi in the penalty area, turned and found
himself unmarked before easily beating Vincent Enyeama with
a low shot.
Nigeria played with apparent disinterest for most of the
game, and the Atlas Lions combined a staunch defense with
sparkle up front to earn a deserved victory over the Super
Eagles.
Five minutes from time, Marouane Chamakh could have added
a second goal, but a sterling save from Enyeama pushed his
angled shot onto the post.
The shock result put Morocco, which is rebuilding during
the African Cup, in a prime position to advance from Group
D. South Africa played Benin in the second group game
Tuesday.
There was no doubt Nigeria was built around playmaker
Jay-Jay Okocha, but the Bolton Wanderers midfielder failed
to inspire his side. With two forwards and Arsenal veteran
Nwankwo Kanu playing just behind them, there should have
been plenty of forward push, yet no one showed much
inspiration.
It took 15 minutes before Kanu had Nigeria's first shot,
but it was a long-range attempt more in hope.
Its only highlight came on the stroke of halftime when
Julius Aghahowa drove home an angled shot, but the Shaktar
Donetsk striker was clearly offside. All too often the
Nigerians were late on the ball and had to second-guess
Moroccan moves.
The loss came after a troubled buildup highlighted by the
late shows of Okocha and Kanu to training camp.
Morocco produced a new lineup, seeking to revive its
fortunes after missing out on the 2002 World Cup, and the
Atlas Lions looked strong in defense and threatening in
offense.
Deportivo de La Coruna veteran Noureddine Naybet and
Rennes' Abdeslam Ouaddou were rock-solid at the back.
On the right wing, Jaouad Zairi of France's Sochaux often
had the defense in trouble.
In the 19th minute, Zairi easily robbed a lethargic Isaac
Okoronkwo of the ball, and crossed to Chamakh, who should
have headed home. Instead the Bordeaux striker put the ball
over.
Even on corners Morocco created danger time and again
against the big defenders.
In the second half, Nigeria finally came out hungrier and
twice caught the Moroccan defense napping on deep balls.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni put one attempt wide.
In the 53rd minute John Utaka took on the Moroccan defense
but had his shot well saved by Khalid Fouhami.
Both teams seemed to settle into a pattern which could
only lead to a goalless draw, until Hadji suddenly made the
breakthrough.
__=
Lineups:
Nigeria : Vincent Enyeama; Joseph Yobo, Celestine
Babayaro, Isaac Okoronkwo, George Abbey; Seyi Olofinjana,
Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu (71, Pius Ikedia) ; John
Utaka, Yakubu Aiyegbeni (79, Victor Agali), Julius
Aghahowa.
Morocco: Khalid Fouhami; Hoalid Regragui, Abdeslam
Ouaddou, Talal El Karkouri, Noureddine Naybet, Houssine
Kharja; Abdelkrim Kissi, Youssef Safri, Youssef Mokhtari
(70, Mohammed El Yaagoubi); Jaouad Zairi (59, Youssef
Hadji), Marouane Chamakh.
Nigeria 1-0 on Tuesday when substitute Youssef Hadji scored
a late goal to clinch the biggest upset of the African Cup
of Nations so far.
In the 77th minute, the Bastia forward took a deep pass
from Abdelkrim Kissi in the penalty area, turned and found
himself unmarked before easily beating Vincent Enyeama with
a low shot.
Nigeria played with apparent disinterest for most of the
game, and the Atlas Lions combined a staunch defense with
sparkle up front to earn a deserved victory over the Super
Eagles.
Five minutes from time, Marouane Chamakh could have added
a second goal, but a sterling save from Enyeama pushed his
angled shot onto the post.
The shock result put Morocco, which is rebuilding during
the African Cup, in a prime position to advance from Group
D. South Africa played Benin in the second group game
Tuesday.
There was no doubt Nigeria was built around playmaker
Jay-Jay Okocha, but the Bolton Wanderers midfielder failed
to inspire his side. With two forwards and Arsenal veteran
Nwankwo Kanu playing just behind them, there should have
been plenty of forward push, yet no one showed much
inspiration.
It took 15 minutes before Kanu had Nigeria's first shot,
but it was a long-range attempt more in hope.
Its only highlight came on the stroke of halftime when
Julius Aghahowa drove home an angled shot, but the Shaktar
Donetsk striker was clearly offside. All too often the
Nigerians were late on the ball and had to second-guess
Moroccan moves.
The loss came after a troubled buildup highlighted by the
late shows of Okocha and Kanu to training camp.
Morocco produced a new lineup, seeking to revive its
fortunes after missing out on the 2002 World Cup, and the
Atlas Lions looked strong in defense and threatening in
offense.
Deportivo de La Coruna veteran Noureddine Naybet and
Rennes' Abdeslam Ouaddou were rock-solid at the back.
On the right wing, Jaouad Zairi of France's Sochaux often
had the defense in trouble.
In the 19th minute, Zairi easily robbed a lethargic Isaac
Okoronkwo of the ball, and crossed to Chamakh, who should
have headed home. Instead the Bordeaux striker put the ball
over.
Even on corners Morocco created danger time and again
against the big defenders.
In the second half, Nigeria finally came out hungrier and
twice caught the Moroccan defense napping on deep balls.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni put one attempt wide.
In the 53rd minute John Utaka took on the Moroccan defense
but had his shot well saved by Khalid Fouhami.
Both teams seemed to settle into a pattern which could
only lead to a goalless draw, until Hadji suddenly made the
breakthrough.
__=
Lineups:
Nigeria : Vincent Enyeama; Joseph Yobo, Celestine
Babayaro, Isaac Okoronkwo, George Abbey; Seyi Olofinjana,
Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu (71, Pius Ikedia) ; John
Utaka, Yakubu Aiyegbeni (79, Victor Agali), Julius
Aghahowa.
Morocco: Khalid Fouhami; Hoalid Regragui, Abdeslam
Ouaddou, Talal El Karkouri, Noureddine Naybet, Houssine
Kharja; Abdelkrim Kissi, Youssef Safri, Youssef Mokhtari
(70, Mohammed El Yaagoubi); Jaouad Zairi (59, Youssef
Hadji), Marouane Chamakh.