By John Essien
Morocco came from behind on Tuesday to beat Malawi 2-1 to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
Achraf Hakimi’s stunning second-half free-kick proved decisive as the Atlas Lions settled the last -16 tie in an emphatic fashion.
Gabadinho Mhango had put the underdogs in front early on with an unbelievable strike from 40-yards, but Morocco responded well and they got the equaliser they deserved just before the break through Youssef En-Nesyri.
With 20 minutes remaining, Hakimi completed the comeback in style with his second free-kick goal of the tournament, booking Morocco’s place in the last eight where they will face either Ivory Coast or Egypt.
After a tournament littered with upsets, Malawi threatened to cause another, as Mhango produced an astonishing effort in the seventh minute, but a courageous Moroccan side responded quickly to the challenge to end another AFCON knockout stage hoodoo.
Recall that Morocco failed to progress to the last eight last term after losing on penalties to minnows Benin Republic in Egypt.
Morocco, who won their only Cup of Nations in 1976, have had a horror run at the tournament since they reached the 2004 final and lost to hosts Tunisia.
In their last six outings, the North Africans have only reached the quarter-finals once.
Morocco will meet either Ivory Coast or Egypt in their quarter-final in Yaounde.
