Football

Morocco and Guinea Dominate in Africa Cup of Nations QualifiersMorocco and Guinea showcased their dominance in the final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Saturday, securing emphatic victories over Central African Republic and Ethiopia, respectively.Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, cruised to a 5-0 triumph in Oujda. Azzedine Ounahi netted a brace, while Abde Ezzalzouli, Achraf Hakimi, and Soufiane Rahimi each contributed a goal. The hosts led 4-0 by halftime, highlighting the vast gap in quality between the two teams.Guinea, under the guidance of veteran coach Michel Dussuyer, also impressed with a 4-1 victory over Ethiopia in Abidjan. Serhou Guirassy, born in France to Guinean parents, stole the show with a hat-trick. His pace and power proved too much for the Ethiopian defense. Seydouba Cisse added the fourth goal for Guinea.Morocco's victory equals the biggest winning margin in 2025 qualifying, matching South Africa's 5-0 drubbing of Congo Brazzaville. Despite being the tournament hosts and automatically qualifying, Morocco opted for competitive match practice to prepare for the AFCON, which will be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.In Group H, DR Congo remains atop the standings with nine points, while Tanzania and Guinea trail with four and three points, respectively. Their November meeting will likely determine who joins DR Congo in qualifying for the tournament.

Argentina's Olympic football campaign got off to a dramatic start as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Morocco in a hostile atmosphere in Saint-Etienne. Javier Mascherano's side were booed by the crowd, who were largely supporting Morocco, and trailed 2-0 to a Soufiane Rahimi brace. However, Giuliano Simeone pulled one back before Cristian Medina equalized in the 106th minute.Morocco took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Rahimi finished off a fine move set up by Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi. The reigning African Under-23 champions doubled their lead six minutes into the second half when Rahimi converted a penalty after Ilias Akhomach was brought down.Argentina fought back and Simeone, son of former Argentina star Diego, pulled one back midway through the second half. Medina then saved a point in the 106th minute, turning in a rebound after Otamendi's shot was turned onto the bar and Bruno Amione headed the follow-up off the woodwork.As Argentina celebrated, projectiles rained down from the stands and several spectators entered the pitch, prompting the referee to blow for full-time.In Group C, Spain edged Uzbekistan 2-1 in their opener at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Sergio Gomez's free-kick was helped on by Abel Ruiz to the back post where Marc Pubill turned the ball in. Uzbekistan drew level from the penalty spot in first-half added time, but Gomez made up for his earlier penalty miss by grabbing the winner just after the hour.