Morocco has only lost once in 90 minutes in their last 13 AFCON games. However, the team never progressed beyond the quarterfinals in the last three editions of the AFCON.

By Ayobami Okerinde

High hopes and expectations currently rest on the shoulders of Morocco’s Atlas Lions to end their 48-year wait for AFCON title after becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar two years ago.

The team currently boasts stars like Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, Yaccine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and Youssef En-Nesyri.

Morocco has only lost once in 90 minutes in their last 13 AFCON games. However, the team never progressed beyond the quarterfinals in the last three editions of the AFCON.

The team has been tagged as the best team going to the AFCON by some fans and has set sights on winning the AFCON, which they last won in 1976.

Coach

Walid Regragui was appointed as coach of Morocco on August 31, 2022, following the dismissal of Vahid Halihodzic a few months before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Regragui’s first stint with Morocco was in his first managerial position, where he was appointed as the first team assistant coach after he retired from football as a player.

He made history with Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar, thus becoming the first coach to finish in the top four of the Mundial.

He was named the 2023 CAF Men’s Coach of the Year and also finished third in the IFFHS World’s Best National Coach Award.

Star Player

In a star-studded Morocco team in all positions, Hakim Ziyech stands above others as the team’s playmaker and for his abilities in dead-ball situations.

The 30-year-old Galatasaray midfielder, who is on loan from Premier League side Chelsea, has scored four times in 14 appearances for the Turkish team.

Ziyech’s highlight of the season so far was his brace in Galatasaray’s 3-3 draw in a Champions League group stage game.

Rising star

Marseille’s Azzedine Onuahi has been tipped to be one of the best players at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.

Onuahi was exceptional in the midfield for Morocco in their record-breaking run at the World Cup. His performances earned him a move to the French side.

He’s a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who has immense pace and the ability to come out on top in 50-50 duels.

Fixtures

Morocco vs Tanzania – January 17

Morocco vs DR Congo – January 21

Zambia vs Morocco – January 24

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