The Moroccan National Football Team aims to win its second continental title in history as it participates in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
The Atlas Lions seek to maintain their standing at the pinnacle of international football after a notable performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they reached the semi-finals after defeating several strong teams. They aspire to secure the trophy that has eluded them for the past 48 years.
In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need about Morocco’s participation in AFCON 2023 and the history of their involvement in this prestigious tournament.
Morocco is placed in Group F, and here is the schedule for the Atlas Lions games:
17 January
Morocco vs. Tanzania: 17:00 GMT, Stade Laurent Pokou, San Pedro.
21 January
Morocco vs. Democratic Republic of Congo: 14:00 GMT, Stade Laurent Pokou, San Pedro.
24 January
Zambia vs. Morocco: 20:00 GMT, Stade Laurent Pokou, San Pedro.
Road to Cote d’Ivoire
Morocco finished at the top of the AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 qualifiers group, securing 9 points out of a possible 12. In a group reduced to three teams with South Africa and Liberia after the withdrawal of Zimbabwe, the Atlas Lions won three matches and lost only one against South Africa.
The Moroccan attack scored 8 goals in 4 matches, and its defense conceded 3 goals – a positive result that propels the Atlas Lions under the guidance of coach Walid Regragui to strive to maintain the same form in Cote d’Ivoire.
Player to watch: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
Striker Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is among the best young players in Morocco’s squad. The 22-year-old’s trickery and goal-scoring ability will be of great use for the Team.
Ezzalzouli shone brightly for Morocco during the AFCON U-23 held in Morocco last year, where he captained the team to the title. He also finished the tournement as the competition’s top scorer with 3 goals.
The Moroccan team boasts some of the most talented players globally, including Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Nayef Aguerd, Yassine Bono, Azzeddine Ounahi, and the 19-year-old player Bilal El Khannouss. Morocco holds the second-highest market value in AFCON, totaling 347 million Euros, just behind Nigeria.
The coach: Walid Regragui
Moroccan coach Walid Regragui has etched his name in golden letters in the history of Moroccan, African, and world football. He led the Atlas Lions to the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Moroccans played at a distinguished level throughout the competition.
The 48-year-old is considered one of the rising coaches at the continental and international levels. He achieved success with the Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca, winning the CAF Champions League twice and the Moroccan champion title in 2022. Regragui is undoubtedly one of the best on the continent.
Morocco’s TotalEnergies CAF AFCON record
1972: First round
1976: Winner
1978: First round
1980: Third place
1986: Fourth place
1988: Fourth place
1992: First round
1998: Quarter-finals
2000: First round
2002: First round
2004: Runners-up
2006: First round
2008: First round
2012: First round
2013: First round
2017: Quarter-finals
2019: Round of 16
2021: Quarter-finals
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