Morocco falls to Cape Verde in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Moroccan national handball team suffered a defeat against their Cape Verdean counterparts, losing 33 to 28 in a match held this Thursday, marking the second day of Group D in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, which is taking place in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, from January 21 to 31.
A Strong First Half from Morocco, a Decisive Second Half for Cape Verde
The “Lions of the Atlas” began the match with determination, delivering a solid performance in the first half, which ended in their favor at 17-13, thanks to a well-organized defense and noteworthy offensive efficiency.
However, the tide turned in the second half, highlighted by a comeback from Cape Verde, significantly driven by the remarkable performance of their goalkeeper, Fernandes, who made numerous crucial saves. His impact allowed his team to turn the situation around and claim victory, earning him the title of “Player of the Match.”
Group Standings after the Second Day
Following this match, Morocco dropped to second place in Group D with two points, trailing behind Cape Verde, who is in the lead with four points, making the final day of the group stage crucial for qualification.
A Decisive Match Against Congo
The Moroccan team will play their final group stage match against Congo next Saturday, under the imperative of winning to secure their ticket to the next round and continue their continental journey.
Strong Competition for the 2027 World Cup
Group D also includes Benin, while other groups feature Rwanda, Algeria, Nigeria, and Zambia (Group A), Egypt, Gabon, Angola, and Uganda (Group B), as well as Tunisia, Cameroon, Guinea, and Kenya (Group C).
This edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is particularly competitive, with the top five nations from the final standings earning qualification for the 2027 World Championship in Germany.
