Posted by Host nation Morocco scored late to beat debutants Guinea 2-1 in the opening game of the TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Morocco dominated the first half and created the best chances but it was Guinea who went into the break a goal up. Algassime Bah hammered in a free-kick in additional of the half.
The host were awarded a spot-kick in the 67th minute after Abdessamad Ezzalzouli was tripped in the box. The Barcelona player who spent last season on loan at Osasuna stepped up and converted the kick.
Morocco after going down piled pressure on Guinea and were close to going ahead in the 71st minute, Mory Keita pulled off a decent save to keep out Benjamin Bouchouari.
In additional time, Morocco were awarded another spot-kick after a lengthy VAR check for a handball by Ibrahima Fofana, skipper Abdessamad Ezzalzouli stepped up once and converted the kick.
Just seconds after going down, Guinea thought they had leveled the score when Naby Youssouf Oulare hammered in a loose ball but the goal was ruled out for a handball by Ousmane Camara as Morocco won 2-1.