Durban – Morocco and Mozambique will meet in the COSAFA Beach Tournament final on Saturday.
In the semifinals on Friday, Morocco beat Malawi 9-6, while while Mozambique defeated Saudi Arabia 8-1.
In the opening stanza, Morocco scored only one goal, while their opponent, Malawi, scored three.
However, a resurgent Morocco scored three goals, while Malawi added one more.
The Moroccans continued to press the Malawians and it paid off.
Morocco scored five more goals – one of which was an own goal by goalkeeper Yassir Abada. Under pressure, Malawi could only manage to score another goal to bring their total to six.
Zouhair Jabbary scored the game’s last goal.
Given their poor start, Morocco snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
All the team had to do to win was to focus and work harder, said Morocco Assistance coach Correa Joseph.
Morocco’s Reda Zahraoui, who scored two goals, was named “Man of the Match”.
“We gave it our all… we made sure to play and prove to everyone that we are a formidable team,” said Malawi’s media officer, Kambuwe Mabvuto.
Mabvuto said Malawi put up a brave fight against Morocco – one of the best teams in Africa.
He said Malawi will fight for bronze on Saturday against Saudi Arabia.
Morocco team:
- Anouar El Abassi
- Adnan Oubahri
- Driss Ghannam
- Reda Zahraoui (Man of the Match)
- Driss Ghannam
- Badr El Kraichl
- Adnon Oubahri
- Zouhair Jabbary
In the other semifinal, Mozambique overcame Saudi Arabia in a rather one-sdied match that ended 8-1.
Man of the Match Helio Filipe Mohato scored three goals.
However, Mozambique’s coach Saidate Abudo said the score did not reflect how hard the game was.
Mozambique team:
- Rachide Sefo Simitho
- Antonio Jose Pedro Namape Jr
- Helio Filipe Mahota (Man of the Match)
- Antonio Jose Pedro Namape Jr
- Helio Filipe Mahota
- Rachide Sefo Simithe (Captain)
- Helio Filipe Mahota
- Yukan Jose Malate
