While qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is finishing up over the international window, a couple of African national teams took part in friendly matches with a notable result for the Morocco under-23 national team. The U-23 Africa Cup of Nations champions defeated their Brazilian counterparts by a 1-0 score in Fez as the teams prepare for the Olympic men’s football tournament in Paris next July. KRC Genk player Zakaria El Ouahdi scored the only goal in the second half.
Elsewhere on Friday, Kenya earned an impressive 2-1 victory over Qatar in Al Wakrah. Joseph Okumu headed in the opening goal for the Harambee Stars and Hassan Al-Haydos equalized for the hosts from the penalty spot to leave the teams level at halftime. Amos Nondi won it in second half stoppage time for Kenya when he got on the end of a low cross for an easy finish.
Finally, South Africa and Namibia played to a 0-0 draw at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday. A Bafana Bafana attack that featured Lyle Foster, Kobamelo Kodisang and Orlando Pirates star Monnapule Saleng could not find a way past the defense of the Brave Warriors who appear likely to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when qualifying concludes on Tuesday.
Highlights from all three friendly matches are below.
Scores
Qatar 1-2 Kenya
Morocco U23 1-0 Brazil U23
South Africa 0-0 Namibia
Highlights
Morocco U23 1-0 Brazil U23 (Goal)
Morocco U23 1-0 Brazil U23 (Extended Highlights)
South Africa 0-0 Namibia
Qatar 1-2 Kenya
