According to FIFA ranking, Morocco is the leading African football nation, being 13th in the world. The Cherifian kingdom owes this posture to its exploit during the last World Cup, Qatar 2022. The Atlas Lions completed their run in the semi-final. A performance never before achieved by an African country in this tournament. But on the African level, Morocco, although being a thunderbolt of war, goes back to 1976 to remember a coronation in CAN. Walid Regragui arrived in Ivory Coast with practically the same squad as at the last World Cup. Among others Yassine Bounou, best African goalkeeper in goal, Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd and Romain Saïss in defense, Sofyan Amrabat and Hakim Ziyech in the middle and Youssef En-Nesyri, scorer in the quarter-final against Portugal (1-0)Question to give yourself a chance to achieve the desired objective: the trophy. For their debut, the Atlas Lions will face the Leopards of the DRC.
The foals of Sébastien Desabre had already failed against the Moroccans in the 2022 World Cup play-offs (1-1/4-1), with talents such Chancel Mbemba, Gael Kakuta et Cedric Bakambu. Names on which the country is counting to definitively turn the page on the last CAN.
But Morocco’s toughest opponent in this tournament, especially in the first round, is Zambia. A country which has raised its flag at the top of continental football, but which does not always have the most brilliant track record. Barely a continental title obtained in 2012 with the French Hervé Renard. And in fact, Zambia did not take part in the last three editions of CAN.
Groupe F : San Pedro (Stade Laurent Pokou)
Morocco
RDC
Zambia
Tanzania
