Morocco have started their Aisha Buhari Cup campaign with a hard fought 1-0 win over a battling Cameroon Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Abuja on Thursday afternoon.
Having not played no football for most of the year due the coronavirus pandemic, signs of rustiness showed on both sides but it was the North Africans who played most of the football throughout the 90 minutes.
Morocco started the game on a high note and had their first sight at goal through Amani Slama after 14 minutes.
Cameroon had their first chance via Rose Bella after 25 minutes but found the safe hands of Morocco’s Errmichi Khadija.
Morocco battled to contain Bella, whose rasping shot from a smart area off a lay-off by Colette Ndzana two minutes before the half-hour mark brought goalkeeper Khadija to a save.
Morocco began to let loose inside 35 minutes and troubled Cameroon when Seghir Sabah held off a challenge to latch onto Jraidi Ibtissam’s pass and force Cameroon goalkeeper Carole Mimboe to a save.
Indomitable Lionesses custodian, Mimboe had to be at his best in the 53rd minute, as she pulled off a stunning stop to deny Hassani Marwa from 12-yards out.
Morocco should have gone ahead in the 54th minute when Ait Hahane played Jraidi Ibtissam through on goal, however the Asfar attacker managed to place his effort wide of the mark with only Mimboe to beat.
The North Africans eventually broke the deadlock in the 77th minute as Tagnaout Fatima sloted in a wonderful effort from 10-yards out.
Khadija came to Morocco’s rescue once again in the 80th minute, as she got down well to deny Easther Kith from the edge of the area.
Cameroon nearly leveled matters in the 87th minute, as Toijta showed great control, before seeing her low effort palmed away by Khadija.
Morocco managed to see off a late surge from the Cameroonian, including a powerful effort from Bella, to secure the win their first Aisha Buhari Cup match.
