Morocco force Ivory Coast
Morocco and Ivory Coast ended their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash in a 2-2 draw on Saturday at the Grand Stade in Marrakech.
The Elephants took the lead twice but the Atlas Lions were able to pull level before fulltime, denying the continent’s number one team a vital away victory.
Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou opened the scoring for the visitors early in the 8th minute after being set up by Tiene Siaka, but they failed to put the game to bed in the first half by wasting a score of goal chances.
Morocco were not intimidated by the star studded Ivorian team even after conceding a goal. They played with much confidence, maintaining a solid defence and a compact midfield.
The Lions captain Houcine Kharja equalised for the home side after transforming a 39th minute penalty awarded after a ball rebounded on Cheick Tiote’s arm inside the Ivorian box.
Back from the break, Manchester City’s Kolo Toure put Ivory Coast in the lead once more with a header through a corner kick, but Hamza Abourrouzouk answered during added time with a header as well to help his side share the spoils.
Ivory Coast are still leaders of Group C with four points ahead of Sunday’s match between Tanzania and Gambia to determine who occupies the second position.
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