Morocco and Gabon played out a 2-2 draw in one of the greatest games of the Africa Cup of Nations thus far in Yaounde, as both teams advanced from Group C.
In the first half, the Atlas Lions fell behind after Gabon’s Jim Allevinah snuck past the onrushing goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi.
They took against a Moroccan side that had rested six players from the team that had qualified for the knockout stages by defeating Comoros 2-0 the week before.
After 74 minutes, Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal equalized from the penalty spot, setting up an exciting finish.
Gabon forced Nayef Aguerd into an own goal before Achraf Hakimi curled a free-kick to keep the thrilling encounter evenly poised.
It was a fitting end to a thrilling game in which Group C delivered plenty of goals to a Nations Cup that had been criticized for its lack of them at the start, and ensured that Morocco, looking to reach the final for the first time since finishing second in 2004, would be drawn in the same half of the draw as hosts Cameroon.
Morocco will play their next match on January 25 in the Cameroonian capital, against the best third-placed team from Group A, B, or F.
Gabon, meanwhile, will face Burkina Faso in Limbe as both sides kick off the Round of 16 on Sunday 23 January.
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