Morocco Faces Challenges as Top Contender in Africa Cup of Nations

Walid Regragui has only one goal in this CAN taking place from January 13 to February 11, 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire: to conquer the Cup. In an interview on the website of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the coach praised the fighting spirit of his players, similar to that shown during the recent World Cup in Qatar. However, he admits that the competition promises to be very difficult, but remains convinced that his team has all the cards in hand to dominate its opponents.

However, clouds are gathering on the horizon. The Moroccan national team is facing major challenges, mainly due to injuries and the drop in form of some star players. Noussair Mazraoui is currently unavailable due to a muscle injury. Sofiane Diop, the Nice midfielder, could also miss the event, while Walid Cheddira and Abderrazak Hamdallah are struggling to regain their form. As for Sofiane Boufal, despite a mixed performance after the World Cup, he could still feature in the team.

Placed in the same group as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Tanzania, Morocco must start strong if it wants to gain confidence for the following matches and above all show that it is a team to be reckoned with in major competitions.

The Atlas Lions have only won the CAN once. It was in 1976 in Ethiopia, an eternity in the world of football.