NaijaBet Preview: Olympics: Morocco vs. Egypt – Prediction, ODDS.
Battling it out for bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, regional rivals Morocco @ 1.92 ODDS and Egypt @ 4.54 ODDS meet on Thursday evening in Nantes.
While the Atlas Lions lost out to Spain in Monday’s semi-finals, the Pharaohs were beaten by hosts France after extra time – now both seek an historic first football medal for their nation.
After topping Group B ahead of Argentina before thumping the United States in the quarter-finals, Morocco went into their semi-final clash with Spain full of confidence, as they sought a place in the gold-medal match.
However, their remarkable run ended at Stade Velodrome, where the Atlas Lions saw their hopes dashed by a second-half Spanish fightback: after main marksman Soufiane Rahimi scored from the spot, they let that lead slip to lose 2-1.
Fermin Lopez equalised in the 66th minute, before the Barcelona star set up Juanlu Sanchez for Spain’s second just as extra time loomed, so the Moroccan squad’s bid to repeat the senior side’s World Cup heroics against La Roja ultimately fell short.
While Walid Regragui’s men finished fourth in Qatar, losing the third-place playoff, Tarik Sektioui’s young charges now hope to triumph in the Olympics’ equivalent, with Thursday’s consolation game determining who takes home the bronze medal.
Winners of last year’s Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, where they beat Egypt to take the trophy on home turf, a high-stakes re-match with the Pharaohs now awaits.
Finding a late equaliser before knocking Paraguay out in the quarter-finals kept Egypt’s dreams of a first Olympic Games football medal alive and set up semi-final contest with the tournament hosts on Monday.
Despite leading with 10 minutes to go, though, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice to deny the Pharaohs a place in the final, as France fought back to win 3-1 after extra time in Lyon.
After levelling the game following Mahmoud Saber’s close-range opener, the Crystal Palace striker headed Les Bleus in front once Omar Fayed had been sent off for a second bookable offence; Michael Olise then added some gloss to the final scoreline.
Nonetheless, Rogerio Micale’s side have still beaten Egypt’s previous best performances at the Olympics: quarter-final exits at both London 2012 and in Tokyo three years ago.
Having beaten Spain en route to topping Group C and then pushed France so close in the semis, they will now fancy their chances of gaining revenge on Morocco, who deposed them as Under-23 AFCON champions last summer.
Morocco Olympic Games Men’s Football form:
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Egypt Olympic Games Men’s Football form:
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We say: Morocco 2-1 Egypt (after extra time)
Two well-matched teams meet with an historic bronze medal at stake, which may temper their attacking instincts just a little. Nonetheless, both sides have some skilful players in the final third, and an absorbing contest should just go the way of rising football force Morocco.
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