OWN CORRESPONDENT, Lagos | Wednesday 11.15am.
THE expected mismatch of the African Nations Cup almost made a mockery of football hierarchy on the contintent as mighty Morocco snatched a 1-0 Group D victory over no-hopers Congo on Tuesday.
It took the 1998 World Cup finalists 84 minutes to break through and the goal came from Salaheddine Bassir, a substitute striker based in Spain who was on the field just a few minutes.
Congo goalkeeper Brice Samba failed to cut off a far-post cross from Youssef Chippo and former African Footballer of the Year Mustapha Hadji steered the ball into the path of Bassir, who knocked it over the line.
It was a heartbreaking end for the Congolese Red Devils, who first contained and then matched opponents sporting a line-up packed with Europe-based professionals.
Morocco never looked like a team rated number one in Africa by world controlling body FIFA and Congo, the lowest ranked of the 16 Nations Cup finalists, quickly won over neutral supporters.
The increasingly-anxious Moroccans resorted to long-range shooting while a Congolese side consisting mainly of players with lower-league clubs in Europe, created several openings only to be let down by wild shooting.
Nigeria, who are hosting the biennial African football showcase with Ghana, lead the group on goal difference from Morocco.
Tunisia are the other country in a mini-league labelled the Group of Death.
Lagos is notorious for power cuts and the match was less than three minutes old when Surulere Stadium, venue of the February 13 final, was plunged into darkness.
It took 15 minutes before play resumed and Morocco almost took the lead when a swerving free kick from Youssef Mariana, the sole home-based player, forced late-reacting Samba to concede a corner.
The longer Congo held Morocco the more confident they became and a dazzling run by Rolf Guie-Mien from German club Eintracht Frankfurt forced Abdellilah Saber to concede a corner.
Lethargic Morocco had equally little to offer in the second half apart from a Hadji shot that Samba held comfortably and a Said Chiba header off a corner that just missed the target.
Senegal went to the top of Group C on goal difference from holders Egypt in the northern Nigerian city of Kano with a 3-1 victory over 1998 surprise packets Burkina Faso.
Although the physically-formidable Lions always looked the more polished team it took a 85th-minute goal from substitute Salif Keita to finish off the energetic Stallions.
Ousmane Diop and Papa Sarr struck early and late in the opening half and Ousmane Sanou reduced arrears for Burkina Faso, who came fourth behind Egypt, South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo when they hosted the 1998 event.
Wednesday is a rest day in the three-week championship and action resumes Thursday afternoon with Ghana facing Togo in Accra and South Africa meeting DR Congo in Kumasi. — AFP