This archive report was first published on 7 October 2021.
On Wednesday, October 6, 2021, Morocco secured a convincing 5-0 win over Guinea Bissau in Rabat, propelling them to the top of Africa's World Cup qualifying Group I.
The match saw Morocco's Achraf Hakimi score the opening goal just past the half-hour mark, followed by debutant Imran Louza's penalty conversion on the stroke of halftime. Louza had recently switched his international allegiance from France to Morocco.
After the break, Ilias Chair, Ayoub El Kaabi, and Munir El Haddadi added three more goals, with the fourth being a spectacular overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area.
Guinea Bissau had attempted to postpone the match after six of their players were hospitalized with food poisoning on the eve of the game. However, only six players were treated, and the match proceeded as scheduled.
Guinea Bissau's home stadium in Bissau was declared unsuitable for hosting World Cup qualifiers by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), resulting in the match being played in Rabat. Morocco will also host their postponed game against Guinea in Rabat on Tuesday.
Guinea had earlier drawn 1-1 against Sudan in the other Group I game, played in Marrakech due to Sudan's stadium ban.
