El Khannouss Morocco’s Hero, Ayew Nets For Ghana

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El Khannouss Morocco’s Hero, Ayew Nets For Ghana

Bilal El Khannouss’ injury-time winner saw Morocco overcome Niger 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.

2025-03-22T13:15+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

22 Mar, 2025

El Khannouss Morocco’s Hero, Ayew Nets For Ghana

Bilal El Khannouss’ injury-time winner saw Morocco overcome Niger 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.

Sam Jones

2025-03-22T13:15+00:00

El Khannouss Morocco’s Hero, Ayew Nets For Ghana

Bilal El Khannouss’ injury-time winner saw Morocco overcome Niger 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.

Sam Jones

2025-03-22T13:15+00:00

El Khannouss Morocco’s Hero, Ayew Nets For Ghana

Bilal El Khannouss’ injury-time winner saw Morocco overcome Niger 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.

Sam Jones

2025-03-22T13:15+00:00

El Khannouss Morocco’s Hero, Ayew Nets For Ghana

Bilal El Khannouss’ injury-time winner saw Morocco overcome Niger 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.

Sam Jones

2025-03-22T13:15+00:00

A stoppage-time winner from Bilal El Khannouss helped Morocco beat Niger
Ghana’s Jordan Ayew was also on the scoresheet in FIFA World Cup qualifying
Wilfred Ndidi played 90 minutes as Nigeria beat Rwanda
Bobby De Cordova-Reid got 90 minutes in Jamaica’s play-off draw

Youssouf Oumarou broke the deadlock early in the second half before Ismael Saibari scored Morocco’s equaliser on the hour mark at Stade d’Honneur d’Oujda. El Khannouss, on as a substitute 10 minutes after the break, then stole the headlines with that last-gasp goal.

The Atlas Lions sit top of Group E with a perfect record from the opening four fixtures in the competition. Niger remain their closest competitors but are now six points adrift in second. Next up, Walid Regragui’s side host Tanzania on Tuesday – a 9:30pm kick-off at Stade Municipal.

Over in Group I, Jordan Ayew netted a first-half penalty during Ghana’s emphatic 5-0 triumph over Chad. Antoine Semenyo got the scoring started just two minutes in at Accra Sports Stadium, prior to Inaki Williams doubling the advantage.

Ayew then converted his spot-kick, with Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah making the game even for comfortable for the Black Stars in the second half. The forward was replaced after 80 minutes and may play a part in Monday’s clash with Madagascar in Morocco (7pm kick-off).

As for the standings, Ghana continue to lead the way with four wins and just one defeat so far in the qualifying campaign, two points ahead of Monday’s opponents in second.

There was also World Cup qualifying success for Nigeria in Group C, with Foxes midfielder Wilfred Ndidi playing 90 minutes of the 2-0 victory over Rwanda.

Victor Osimhen scored both goals as the Super Eagles got their qualification campaign back on track at Stade Amahoro in Kigali, moving up to fourth in Group C, on six points from five matches.

There’s another opportunity for the 28-year-old to earn minutes on Tuesday afternoon when Nigeria host bottom of the group Zimbabwe at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Another cap for the attacker.

Moving to the CONCACAF Gold Cup play-offs, Bobby De Cordova-Reid played throughout Jamaica’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at Arnos Vale Stadium.

The Reggae Boyz required a 98th-minute penalty from Leon Bailey to rescue the first leg and leave it all square heading into Wednesday’s decider (12am kick-off).

Tonight, meanwhile, Danny Ward could be between the sticks for Wales as Craig Bellamy’s Dragons host Kazakhstan in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier (7:45pm kick-off).

All times GMT.

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