CHAN 2020: Morocco Held To A Goalless Draw By Rwanda

Morocco were left frustrated after being held to a 0-0 draw by a stubborn Rwanda in a 2020 African Nations Championship Group B match played on Friday.

The encounter got off to a slow start, although Morocco started asserting their dominance after 10 minutes.

Vincent Mashami’s side was quite content to let the Atlas Lions have the ball, while they attacked on the counter with Thierry Manzi, Jacques Tuyisenge and Olivier Kwizera.

Morocco’s shot-stopper survived a scare in the 20th minute, as he failed to deal with Olivier Niyonzima’s free-kick, which eventually sailed just wide of the upright.

The North Africans did have their moments in the opening half, as Naoufel Zerhouni threatened down the right flank on a few occasions to good effect, often winning his battle with Emmanuel Manishimiwe.

Rwanda went close in the 38th minute when Muhadjiri Hakizimana’s free-kick from 25-yards out sailed just wide of the Anas Nzinti’s upright.

Morocco should have gone ahead two minutes later when Nzinti’s long ball found Ayoub El Kaabai, who placed his effort wide of the upright with Olivier Kwizera to beat.

Rwanda did go close just before the halftime break, as Ernest Sugira drilled an effort just wide of the upright from 20-yards out.

Rwanda continued to dominate when the second half resumed, but they failed to create any clear-cut openings and were restricted to playing long balls.

Morocco nearly went ahead in the 75th minute, as Al Kaabi’s close-range effort forced Kwizera into a fine save before Soufiane Rahimi failed to capitalise on the rebound.

Rahimi should have found the back of the net minutes later when he collected a pass from Abdelkarim Baadi but the winger fired horribly wide from 12-yards out.

Rwanda piled pressure in the closing stages and should have taken the lead in the 87th minute but Bertnard Irandukuda failed to hit the target when played through on goal.

Fitina Omborenga came to Arrows’ lead in the 88th minute, as he came rushing off his line to deny Ismail Kaafi in the 12-yard area.

Morocco could not find the decisive goal to secure the win and were forced to settle for a point.