Super Eagles grounded by Moroccans
MONASTIR, Tunisia -- Unfancied Morocco clipped the wings of Nigeria's Super Eagles to score a shock 1-0 win in the opening Group D match of the African Nations Cup in Tunisia on Tuesday.
A superbly-taken goal from substitute Youssef Hadj in the 77th minute was enough although Marouane Chamakh hit the inside of a Nigerian post soon afterwards.
Italian-based Siyabonga Nomvete later scored twice in the second half to give South Africa a 2-0 victory against minnows Benin in the day's other group clash.
Striker Nomvete, who has never scored in Serie A, should have had a hat-trick, but missed a penalty on the stroke of halftime.
Victory comes as a major confidence booster for beleaguered South Africa, who fired their coach Ephraim Mashaba on the eve of their departure for the tournament.
The side looked languid in the first half but Nomvete's well-taken goals on 58 and 76 minutes enlivened a match which had delivered little excitement until the first goal.
Nigeria, with several English Premier League players, were the more experienced side but barely created a chance.
Morocco, who fell at the first hurdle in the last two Nations Cup finals, are rebuidling under former goalkeeper Bedou Ezaki, who said on the eve of the match that his countrymen were dreaming if they thought they had a serious chance of winning the title.
But it was the North Africans who looked the more dangerous side and put a lot of pressure on the Super Eagles with their set-pieces.
However, Nigeria nearly took the lead when Julius Agahowa had the ball in the back of the net in first half injury time, but Senegalese referee Falla Ndoye, ruled the goal offside.
Nigeria came out strongly after half-time as Morocco were forced back and Yakubu Aiyegbeni came close after being set up by Agahowa, while John Utaka had his effort deflected away for a corner.
Chamakh came close for Morocco on the 77th minute after turning with the ball in the area and unleashing a powerful shot that flew over the bar.
The North Africans deservedly took the lead a minute later, when substitute Hadji, who had shortly before been brought on, was set up by Abdelkrim Kissi in the area.
The Bastia striker turned on his marker and shot past the stranded Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Eneama.
