Morocco kept alive their very slender 2014 World Cup hopes after a 2-0 home win over winless Gambia in Marrakech on Saturday night.
The four-time World Cup finalist shifted up the table from third to second in Group C to eight points ahead of leaders Ivory Coast’s visit to Tanzania whom the Atlas Lions have replaced in the No 2 spot.
Gambia’s teenage goalkeeper Boubacarr Sanyang was tested almost immediately out of the blocks by Morocco to deny Hamed Allah a first minute chance.
Three minutes later, Sanyang wasn’t so lucky as the Atlas Lions went ahead through Getafe midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada.
Morocco goalkeeper Mohamed Amsif too was tested three times in three minute spell by Gambia’s attackers that including a double shut out from the Atlas Lions stopper in the 19th minute.
Barrada then wasted a chance to complete a brace in the 34th minute before Morocco went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
It took just six minutes after the restart for Morocco to extend their lead this time Younes Belhanda found the target against bottom placed Gambia who have just one point in Group C.
The highly rated Montpellier playmaker almost added his second of the day on 71 minutes but amazingly saw his shot come off the woodwork.
Two minutes later, striker Chakhir Belgazouani was unlucky not to score when his goal-bound effort was blocked just three minutes after replacing Hamed Allah.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s victory sees them move from five to eight points after four matches played and are just two points behind Ivory Coast whom they visit in both sides final Group C qualifying tie in September.
However, a win or draw for The Elephants against Tanzania who have six points will render Saturday nights result inconsequential and see Ivory Coast seal their final round qualifying berth with a game to spare.
