The continent of Africa has been assured of bronze medal in the men’s football event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The medal comes to Africa after hard fighting Atlas Lions of Morocco’s bid to repeat their FIFA World Cup 2022 heroics against Spain fell short.In the same vein, Egypt remarkable run and hope for a gold medal was dashed by host, France. The two North African teams will now slug it out in the bronze medal match.
Morocco’s striker Soufiane Rahimi broke the deadlock when he made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 36th minute to send the fans of the team to wild jubilation at at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome. Rahimi shows composure as he maintain his record of scoring in every match of this tournament so far, extending his lead as top scorer. However, Spain restored parity through the unrelentless Fermin Lopez. He capitalised on a loose touch inside the Moroccan area, set himself and placed the ball into the bottom corner.
Lopez would turn provider for Right back Juanlu Sanchez who delivered the killer blow five minutes from time. The defender who the ball across the goalkeeper and inside the post to put the La Roja in a commanding position making Morocco’s task even more difficult. Morocco tried to press for the equaliser but their efforts was thwarted by Spain defence.
Meanwhile, at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Egypt grabbed a sensational lead in the 62nd minute when Mohamed Shehata’s hard work bore fruit, as his pass found Mahmoud Saber, who wriggled his way into the France box and smashed through Guillaume Restes into the roof of the net. Saber’s goal silent the home crowd. The host desperate for an equaliser misses good scoring chances as Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Alexandre Lacazette and Maghnes Akliouche wasted golden opportunities.
The woodwork also denied France much to the delight of the African team. No saviour for Egypt in the 83rd minute as enterprising winger Michael Olise pass through numerous challenges before giving Mateta a pass which he lifted over Egypt goalkeeper for the late leveller. To compound the Pharaoh woes, the team was reduced to 10 men as Omar Fayed saw red late in the game. Mateta got his second goal of the game before Olise scored in extra time to earn the French side a victory.
Egypt and Morocco will now fight for a bronze medal on Thursday at the over 35,000 Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
