Morocco Coach Sidesteps Naming Algeria as AFCON 2021 Favorite Amid Tensions

Asked to give the favorite of the 2021 CAN during a press conference, the coach of the Moroccan team, Vahid Halilhodzic, could not designate Algeria. "If I give the name of this team, it’s going to create... (laughs). There are good teams, of a very high level. With remarkable and world-class players. I don’t want to pronounce its name vis-à-vis... Well, I want to, but it’s going to create tensions. Well, it’s a very high-level competition. [...]", replied the former coach of the Fennecs (2011-2014). "There are a lot of good teams, I think you can imagine which ones can be favorites. There’s no need for us to repeat ourselves. The biggest favorite, you know it. But we’re here too," added the Franco-Bosnian technician.

The 2021 CAN will take place from January 9 to February 6, 2022 in Cameroon. The coach of the Atlas Lions has already unveiled his list. Vahid Halilhodzic has called up several well-known players in the French championship, including Sofiane Boufal (Angers), Achraf Hakimi (PSG) or Nayef Aguerd (Rennes). Biggest absentee: Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech who plays at Chelsea is not on this list. The first match of the Moroccan team will take place on January 10. The Atlas Lions will face the Black Stars of Ghana.