12
Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was despatched off in weird circumstances throughout Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations conflict towards South Africa.
All through the event to this point, Amrabat has often been deployed as Morocco’s deepest-lying midfielder.
In earlier matches performed towards the likes of Tanzania, DR Congo and Zambia, the United star impressed and confirmed his high quality in the course of the park.
Nevertheless, his fortunes on the pitch took a flip for the worst throughout Morocco’s essential spherical of 16 tie vs. South Africa.
The Atlas Lions had been knocked out of AFCON following a devastating 2-0 loss by the hands of Bafana Bafana.
Proof Makgopa shed first blood for South Africa simply three minutes earlier than the hour mark, to provide his aspect the lead towards one of many favourites to raise the trophy.
Morocco struggled to get again into the sport – with Hakimi even lacking a penalty – however had been dealt a remaining blow when Hugo Broos’ males grabbed a second within the ninety fifth minute to safe the victory and advance to the subsequent spherical of the competitors.
There was one other important second within the match – Amrabat’s crimson card, which additionally happened in added time.
The Fiorentina loanee dedicated a “skilled foul” to disclaim South Africa what appeared like a transparent goalscoring alternative, with the attacker by on aim.
Amrabat appeared to cynically carry down his man simply earlier than he broke into Yassine Bounou’s field.
The referee dished out a second yellow card for Amrabat to provide him his marching orders.
Bizarrely, Amrabat was instructed to come back again onto the pitch for a VAR overview of the incident. After the referee watched it once more, he elevated the midfielder’s punishment from a second yellow card to a direct crimson card as a substitute.
الحكم يعود إلى تقنية الفيديو ويلغي البطاقة الصفراء ويشهر الحمراء لأمرابط #كأس_أمم_إفريقيا | #المغرب_جنوب_إفريقيا#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/1RDIorL5j9
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 30, 2024
Like Andre Onana who preceded him after Cameroon’s current elimination, Amrabat may even be returning to Manchester quickly to make himself out there to Erik ten Hag for choice within the membership’s upcoming fixtures.
