Hakim Ziyach of Morocco reacts after missing penalty during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match against Benon. Photo: BackpagePix
Morocco vs Benin: Cards like Christmas courts controversy
A red card in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Morocco capped a mad first game in the last 16 fixtures.
Hakim Ziyach of Morocco reacts after missing penalty during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match against Benon. Photo: BackpagePix
It’s not an Africa Cup of Nations until there has been a bizarre incident or three. We’ve had the threats of players strike – pretty standard. but Morocco vs Benin in the last 16 took things to the next level.
The Squirrels had taken a surprise early lead, but not after a rather perplexing yellow card decision. Regulations state that players are not allowed to wear jewlery on the field of play. And while it’s easy to forget your wedding ring on, rarely do you think a ref is actually going to book you for it.
But that’s exactly what happened to Khaled Adenon from Benin.
Now, here’s the thing about Adenon. He has a history of not getting along with match officials. In 2012, he was banned by Fifa for a year after an altercation with a match official during his country’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Atlas Lions later found their equaliser, then missed a penalty in the dying minutes of regulation time.
And as the clock ticked down, Adenon found himself in the ref’s book again.
This time, for … well… just watch the incident yourself.
Benin red card vs Morocco
Yeah, look… bit much, no?
Needless to say, social media was perplexed. And in hysterics.
Some protestation followed. And there were some handbags pitch side.
But in the end, Benin won the penalty shootout, knocked Morocco out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and booked their spot in the quarterfinals.
