Africa Cup of Nations last 16, Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo – Morocco 2 (En-Nesyri 45’, Hakimi 70’) Malawi 1 (Mhango 7’)

A sensational free-kick from Achraf Hakimi lifted Morocco to a 2-1 win over Malawi and into the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Malawi’s Gabadinho Mhango gave his nation a shock lead in the first half with arguably the goal of the tournament from 35-yards out, but a thumping header from Youssef El Nesyri and Hakimi’s set-piece booked Morocco’s place in the last eight.

Vahid Halilhodzic’s side, considered one of the favourites to win the tournament, will play Ivory Coast or Egypt in the next round.

Morocco began the game firmly on the front foot and were piling numbers forward from the first whistle, but Mhango stunned the Atlas Lions with a goal of the year contender in the seventh minute.

The 29-year-old Orlando Pirates striker picked the ball up near the halfway line before he fired a vicious curling strike beyond the helpless Yassine Bounou in goal for his third goal of the tournament.

Mhango came close to scoring again in the 22nd minute as he broke behind the Morocco defence, but he dragged his low strike just wide.

After Watford midfielder Imran Louza hit the bar 10 minutes later, Malawi goalkeeper Charles Thomu was extremely busy. He made great diving saves to deny Hakimi and Sofiane Boufal from close range.

But on the stroke of half-time Morocco got a deserved equaliser through En Nesyri, powerfully heading in a fine Selim Amallah cross at the far post.

Morocco continued to push for a winner in the second half and they got it in stunning fashion in the 70th minute as Hakimi curled his sublime free-kick into the top corner.

BY JAMES KILPATRICK – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

Hosts Cameroon progress at the African Cup of Nations was overshadowed by a stampede outside the stadium that reportedly killed at least six people during the host nation’s victory over Comoros on Monday.

Reporters says the crash happened as crowds struggled to get access to Olembe Stadium in the capital of Yaounde as Cameroon beat Comoros 2-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

Hosts Indomitable Lions will face The Gambia, who defeated Guinea to progress to the quarterfinals.

CAF statement reads: “CAF is currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired. We are in constant communication with the Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee.

“Tonight, the CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, sent the General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba to visit the supporters in the hospital in Yaoundé.”

CAF – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone in Douala, Cameroon.

The Gambia put themselves in the continental history football books after they defeated Guinea 1-0 in their last sixteen AFCON match on Monday to progress.

The GAMBIA stunned their opponents 1-0 on Monday to make it through to the last eight of the competition.

The West African Nation has caused a shock at the last-16 stage of the Africa Cup of Nations by stunning Guinea 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals. 

Making their debut in the tournament, were the lowest-ranked FIFA team competing, sitting down in 150th in the world.

They had already caused a stir by qualifying from the group Mauritiana, Mali and Tunisia but were the heavy underdogs going into the clash against Guinea.

A resilient Gambia side once again upset the odds in Cameroon thanks to a 71st minute Musa Barrow goal. Their winger Yusupha Nije was shown a red card on 87 minutes, but Guinea had a man sent off themselves when Ibrahima Conte was given his marching orders in added time.

And in the end, Gambia managed to hold on, leading to wild scenes of celebration. It remains to be seen just how much further they can progress in the tournament.

CAF – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone in Douala, Cameroon.