Morocco start Cup countdown by beating Zambia

13 Jan 2008 07:30 - Staff Reporter

Morocco began their countdown to the African Cup of Nations in Ghana this month with a 2-0 triumph over fellow qualifiers Zambia on Saturday. The warm-up match ahead of the biennial tournament from January 20 to February 10 was settled within 10 minutes soon after half-time through goals from Tarik Sektioui and Soufiane Alloudi.

Morocco began their countdown to the African Cup of Nations in Ghana this month with a 2-0 triumph over fellow qualifiers Zambia on Saturday.

The warm-up match ahead of the biennial tournament from January 20 to February 10 was settled within 10 minutes soon after half-time through goals from Tarik Sektioui and Soufiane Alloudi.

Sektioui, from former European champions Porto of Portugal, slotted home a 51st-minute penalty and fellow striker Alloudi of United Arab Emirates outfit Al-Ain struck the second goal on the hour mark.

Morocco, who are in Group A with Ghana, Guinea and Namibia, face another qualifier, Angola, in the capital city Rabat on Wednesday before heading for West Africa in a bid to win the Nations Cup a second time.

This was the fourth and final warm-up outing for twice runners-up Zambia, who tackle defending champions Egypt, four-time winners Cameroon and rejuvenated Sudan in Group C.

Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) slumped 4-1 to a Spanish regional selection in Jerez last month before travelling to Tunis where they won 2-1 and lost 1-0 against 2004 champions Tunisia.