Barcelona prodigy Abde Ezzalzouli fired two goals from the spot to complete a sensational comeback victory for Morocco to kickstart the U23 Africa Cup of Nations in style against Guinea.

Abde’s second-half heroics overturned Algassime Bah’s earlier strike and propelled Issame Charai’s team to the top of Group A, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd who experienced moments of anxiety throughout the game.

As the host nation, the Atlas Lions  began the match with a positive approach, maintaining possession, but struggled to convert it into tangible results in the initial stages.

However, it was Guinea who broke the deadlock and scored the tournament’s first-ever goal through Algassime Bah’s surprising freekick just before halftime, catching Moroccan goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch off guard.

Coach Charai’s strategic substitutions injected renewed energy into his team, who relentlessly pursued an equalizer. Their efforts paid off when Abde, the talented 21 year old  Barcelona forward, was fouled in the penalty box.

Displaying composure, Abde confidently converted the penalty, igniting an onslaught from the hosts.

The spirited Moroccan team earned another penalty in the 98th minute, which Abde coolly dispatched to complete the remarkable comeback and secure the victory for the hosts,

Abde chooses between country & club

 Abde Ezzalzouli had expressed his determination  to prioritize his footballing career at Spanish giants Barcelona and solidify his position within the first team.

The talented winger was called up to represent Morocco in the 2021 AFCON tournament but had to decline due to club ties.

The perennial club versus country debate continues to be a topic of discussion, with numerous high-profile players, including Abde, facing the decision to temporarily leave their club teams and join their national squads. However, Abde remains focused on his aspirations at Barcelona and aims to make significant contributions to the team’s success.