As the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) unfolds in Cote d’Ivoire, Arab national teams have faced a challenging start, with none securing a victory in their opening matches. Egypt, Algeria, Mauritania, and Tunisia all struggled to clinch wins in their respective groups, leaving the Arab football community eager for a standout performance. The spotlight now turns to Morocco, the last Arab team to play their opening match and potentially break the trend.
In Group B, Egypt faced Mozambique on Sunday, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Algeria, competing in Group D, also failed to secure a win against Angola on Monday. Mauritania, in the same group, suffered a defeat against Burkina Faso, while Tunisia, in Group E, faced a surprising loss to Namibia on Tuesday.
The Moroccan national team, led by coach Walid Regragui, is the last hope for Arab nations to celebrate a victory in the opening matches of AFCON 2023. Scheduled to face Tanzania today at 17:00 GMT at Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, Morocco aims to set a positive tone for Arab teams in the tournament.
Examining the history between Morocco and Tanzania, the last five encounters have favored Morocco, with four victories. The teams last met in 2023, with Morocco winning 2-0 in a match played in Tanzania. Morocco’s current squad boasts exceptional talent, including key players like Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Yassine Bono, Hakim Ziyech, and other renowned footballers.
All indicators suggest a favorable outcome for Morocco, who reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The expectations are high for the Moroccan national team to secure a decisive victory against Tanzania and bring joy to Arab football fans in the opening stage of AFCON 2023.
Sportribune.com
