Morocco reached the semi- final of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) with a 2-0 win over Namibia at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Saturday evening.

The Lions of Atlas started fast and created their first chance on goal in the quarter of first half when Ismael El Haddad intercepted a bad back pass and was left with just the keeper to beat, but he fluffed his shot wide.

Vitapi Ngaruka had a chance to put Namibia ahead almost immediately but was let down by his first touch as he tried to control a high ball inside the Morocco penalty area.

Morocco continued to boss the game and almost scored in the 13th minute when Achraf Bencharki broke behind Brave Warriors defence and even beat the keeper with his shot, but defender Charles Abira made it back to clear the ball off the goalline.

Fifteen minutes later Morocco got a freekick and was quickly taken by Walid El Karti and before Namibia’s defence could organise themselves Ayoub El Kaabi made an easy finish past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

On the half hour Namibia finally created their first scoring opportunity when Vitapi Vitapi met a corner with a strong header, but his effort skimmed the wrong side of the crossbar.

Ten minutes later Badr Benoun muscled his way into space inside the Namibia box, but saw his ten-yard strike well-saved by the Namibia shot-stopper.

Ten minutes into the second half Morocco extended their lead when Salehedinne Saidi showed great strength to hold his marker off to get on the end of corner to put a powerful header which found the corner of the net, 2-0.

Namibia tried to find their way back into the match, but struggled to penetrate the Morocco defence.

The Brave Warriors did almost score in the 72nd minute when Petrus Shitembi unleashed a powerful long-range free-kick, but his effort was brilliantly saved by the keeper.

That was as close as Namibia came to finding a goal as Morocco won the game 2-0 and with it progressed into the semi-finals of the competition set for Casablanca on Wednesday evening.

Morocco: Zniti, El Yamiq, Boulahroud, Saidi (Barrahma 87’), El Kaabi (Hammoudan 79’), El Karti, Haddad (Hadraf 59’), Banoun, Nahiri, Bencharki, Jbira

Namibia: Kazapua, Hambira, Hanamub, Karongee (Lombard 46’), Fredericks, Limbondi, Ketjijere, Keimuine, Ngaruka, Shitembi (Katjiteo 89’), Nekundi (Nenkavu 66’).