Futsal AFCON 2024: Ghana on brink of exit after defeat to Morocco

Ghana is on the verge of exit from the 2024 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations after suffering their second group stage defeat.

The West African side were thumped 8-3 by Morocco in their second game in the competition over the weekend.

The hosts took the lead quickly, with Youssef Jouad scoring with a side-footed strike only 15 seconds in, leaving goalkeeper Raphael Tsigbe powerless.

Captain Soufiane El Mesrar extended Morocco’s lead two minutes later with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the area, eliciting wild celebrations from the home crowd.

Although Prince Arthur equalised for Ghana six minutes later with a deflected set piece, the Atlas Lions quickly restored their two-goal lead with a superb goal from Soufiane Charraoui.

Morocco’s Soufiane El Mesrar increased their lead to 4-1 following a great play by Youssef Jouad, but Ghana’s Philip Nii Boye scored his team’s second goal before halftime.

Late goals from Khalid Bouzid and Youssef Jouad completed Morocco’s overwhelming victory, thrilling the fans in attendance.

With this result, the Atlas Lions lead Group A with six points from two matches, with Angola and Zambia following closely behind with three points each. Ghana stays at the bottom of the group, without a point.