Morocco U23 held by Mali after defensive error and stunning Bouhamdi strike

Morocco’s Olympic team were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali in a friendly at Rabat’s Stade Moulay El Hassan on Thursday as both sides prepare for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Jamel Ait Ben Idir named several players who have already been called up to Morocco’s senior squad, including Othmane Maamma, Ismael Baouf and Youssef Lekhedim. Mali also fielded a competitive side, with Soulmeymane Sagnan of Lens and Nantes midfielder Sekou Doucoure among their starters. Barcelona prospect Ibrahim Diarra began on the substitutes’ bench.

Despite Morocco’s strong-looking line-up, it was Fousseni Diawara’s Mali side who took the lead before the half-hour mark.

A routine back-pass from Baouf caused confusion in the Morocco defence. Goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch delayed his clearance and was caught out by Aboubakar Diakite, the Al-Hazem forward, who rolled the ball into an empty net in the 28th minute.

Morocco responded less than 10 minutes later through a spectacular equaliser from Amir Bouhamdi. The PSV Eindhoven player collected the ball on the left side of the penalty area before sending a powerful, deflected effort underneath the crossbar, leaving Mali goalkeeper Oumar Kalifa Pona with no chance.

Benchaouch made an important intervention shortly after half-time, while Pona denied Maamma before keeping out late efforts from Abdelhamid Maali and Lekhedim to secure a share of the points.

Morocco had 65% possession but did not create a greater threat than their opponents. Mali finished with nine shots to Morocco’s eight, while Morocco had four attempts on target compared with six for Mali.

Morocco will have the chance to improve on Monday when they face Tanzania in another friendly in Tangier. Mali will meet Burkina Faso in a friendly derby.

In November, Morocco will enter the second qualifying round for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, where they will face either Ethiopia or Uganda. Mali will play either Zimbabwe or Mauritius.

Morocco U23 line-up: Yanis Benchaouch; Dan Sinate, Fousseyni Max Doumbia, Sekou Doucoure, Souleymane Sagnan; Moulaye Haidara, Cheick Keita, Aboubakar Dembaga; Pape Niama Sissoko, Aboubacar Diakite, Ibrahima Diakite.

Mali U23 line-up: Oumar Kalifa Pona; Dan Sinate, Fousseyni Max Doumbia, Sekou Doucoure, Souleymane Sagnan; Moulaye Haidara, Cheick Keita, Aboubakar Dembaga; Pape Niama Sissoko, Aboubacar Diakite, Ibrahima Diakite.