Morocco U23 held by Mali after Benchaouch error and Bouhamdi stunner

Morocco’s Olympic side were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali in a friendly at the Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat on Thursday as both teams continued their preparations for the CAN U23 qualifiers.

Jamel Ait Ben Idir named several players who have already been called up by Morocco’s senior team, including Othmane Maamma, Ismael Baouf and Youssef Lekhedim. Mali also fielded a competitive squad, with Lens defender Souleymane Sagnan and Nantes midfielder Sekou Doucoure starting, while Barcelona prospect Ibrahim Diarra began on the bench.

Despite Morocco’s strong line-up, Mali took the lead in the 28th minute. Baouf played a seemingly harmless pass back towards his own goal, but goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch delayed his clearance. Aboubacar Diakite, who plays for Al-Hazem in Saudi Arabia, seized on the mistake and finished into an empty net.

Morocco responded nine minutes later with an outstanding equaliser from Amir Bouhamdi. The PSV Eindhoven forward collected the ball on the left side of the penalty area and drove a powerful shot towards goal. A deflection sent it underneath the crossbar, leaving Oumar Kalifa Pona with no chance.

Benchaouch made amends shortly after half-time with an important save, while his Malian counterpart then produced a series of interventions to protect the draw. Pona denied Maamma before also keeping out late efforts from Abdelhamid Maali and Lekhedim.

Morocco enjoyed 65% possession but were unable to turn that control into a clear attacking advantage. Mali registered nine shots to Morocco’s eight, while the hosts had four efforts on target compared with six for their opponents.

Morocco will have another opportunity to build momentum when they face Tanzania in Tangier on Monday, again in a friendly. Mali will meet Burkina Faso in an international derby.

In November, Morocco will enter the second qualifying round for the CAN U23 against either Ethiopia or Uganda. Mali’s opponents at that stage will be either Zimbabwe or Mauritius.

Mali 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.