Chelsea star Didier Drogba scored the only goal of the game from the spot in the 38th minute after being brought down. Ivory Coast rode their luck somewhat, however, as Youssef Hadji in particular wasted chances in both halves first skimming the post in an attempt to put Morocco ahead and later whistling a shot over the bar as they searched for an equaliser.
Morocco and Safri will be in action again on Tuesday, when they face hosts Egypt. Defeat would almost certainly put them out of the competition and mean that City could potentially call on their influential midfielder for the trip to Reading on January 31st.