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World Cup qualifying: Morocco squeeze past Botswana thanks to El Karkouri [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Rabat (Reuters) - Morocco remained one point behind Group E leaders Tunisia after a second-half goal from Talal El-Karkouri clinched a 1-0 win over Botswana in their World Cup African zone qualifier.
The Charlton Athletic defender's goal sets up a mouth-watering clash between Morocco (19 points) and Tunisia (20) in their final qualifying match on October 8.
Morocco need a victory to ensure a fourth World Cup finals appearance, while Tunisia require only a draw in Rades to reach their third successive finals.
Hosts Morocco were denied by several fine stops from Kagiso Tshelametsi.
The Botswana keeper thwarted German-based striker Abdelaziz Ahanfouf, who was making a rare start for his country, and also kept out an acrobatic effort from Youssef Hadji.
But Morocco broke through after 55 minutes when El-Karkouri, back in the side after a knee injury, headed home a cross by Ajax Amsterdam striker Nourdine Boukhari.
Houssein Kharja then hit a post for Morocco, who are the only unbeaten African side left in World Cup qualifying.
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