Morocco are out of the 2016 African Nations Championship despite humiliating host Rwanda 4-1 at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday 24.

Rwanda sails through to the round of eight as group “A” leaders together with Ivory Coast who finished second after thrashing Gabon by a similar margin in another match played at Huye.

Amavubi Coach Johnny McKinstry rested eight of his regular players in the tie, giving his fringe players a chance to shine at home having secured their spot in the quarterfinals, but the move appeared to favor Morocco who dictated the pace of the game from start to finish.

It took Coach Badou Ezzaki’s side just fifteen minutes to open scoring through Abdelghani Mouaoui close range strike from Abdelssa Benjelloun’s assist, to mute fully parked Amahoro.

Mohammed Aziz made it 2-0 for the Atlas Lions eight minutes later, heading home from a corner kick. Rwanda responded almost immediately through Hegman Ngomirakiza who connected in Michel Rusheshangoga’s left cross in the 26th minute for a 2-1 scoreline.

But the North Africans were not done just yet. Abdelghani Mouaoui turned provider in the 37th minute after leaving his marker Rusheshangoga Michel for the dead before delivering a fine cross from the left which was headed in by Abdeladim Khadrouf for the third goal.

Mouaoui who was handful for the Amavubi defense grabbed a brace with three minutes to the breather, driving home a cracker from Abdessamad El Mobaraky sleek pass.

On resumption, Morocco who were enjoying a three goal cushion employed delaying tactics irking the fans who responded by boos and jeers every time they touched the ball – but still, they were lethal still moving forward.

Abdelssalam Benjelloun was twice denied by Rwanda keeper Olivier Kwizera in the 57th and 72nd minutes, while Ernest Sugira on the other end blasted wide on two occasions as well in the 70th and 75th minutes as the two teams sized each other up in the second half.

The scoreline remained 4-1 at the blow of the final whistle as Morocco bowed out of the tournament heads up.

Rwanda will play second placed team in group “A” in the quarterfinals.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com