Morocco Bolsters Security for National Team at Africa Cup of Nations

A special security team has arrived in the Ivorian city of San Pedro, to protect the Moroccan team and the hotel where it is staying, reveals the site Rue20, adding that this measure is part of the preparations for the upcoming sporting events. The security team has assigned itself the mission of ensuring the security of the players and the technical staff with discretion and professionalism.

The Moroccan team and the technical staff flew to Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday. Morocco and 23 other teams will participate in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) which will take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, San Pedro and Korhogo (north). Ranked in group F, the Atlas Lions will take the field on Wednesday, January 17. They will face Tanzania at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro, before playing a new match against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, January 21, still at the same stadium and finally Zambia on Wednesday, January 24.

After reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the goal of the Moroccan team is to win the next CAN. "After the World Cup, I know we won’t just have highs. Between the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations, we could lose one or two games. To be honest, I hope the team loses a game or two to come down from this frenzy and be aware that it’s always difficult to win duels. [...] We have still young, ambitious players. Moreover, our common goal will be to win one of the next two CANs to enter history forever," had supported the national coach Walid Regragui. The Atlas Lions had won their first trophy in 1976.