Morocco Gears Up for AFCON Qualifier Against South Africa with Defensive Reinforcements

For its first qualifying match for the 2023 CAN, Morocco will face South Africa next Thursday in Rabat. Moroccan players no longer have the right to make mistakes as they did in the United States where, for a friendly match, they were crushed (3-0) by Team USA.

They have been training since Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, with the participation of Yahya Attiyat Allah (Wydad de Casablanca) and Jaouad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid), called up as reinforcements for the defensive sector by coach Vahid Halilhodzic. Noussair Mazraoui, who had not made the trip to Cincinnati in the United States, has also resumed training with his teammates.

The coach knows he has to strengthen the offensive sector, which remained almost inactive against a very organized American team. In the absence of Ryan Mmaee and Soufiane Boufal (injured), Vahid Halilhodzic could give more playing time to Soufiane Rahimi, the player who had won a penalty against the United States, but which was not converted by Selim Amallah.

The South African delegation has been flying to Morocco since Sunday. Before their departure, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos spoke about the strength of Moroccan supporters’ support and the quality of the called-up players. "You’ve seen the atmosphere of the CAF Champions League in Morocco... It will be frightening, because they are always behind their team. We can agree that Morocco is the best team. The coach has selected 25 players and these players play in Europe for big clubs in the best Leagues. Only one player plays in the local championship and it is the goalkeeper. But we have to be competitive and I always hope to start the first match well and avoid defeat," he said in the Zambian newspaper Sunday World.

He hopes for at least a draw in order to maximize their chances of qualifying at the top of Group K. However, the South African coach will have to do his calculations without left-back Terrence Mashego, who was unable to travel to Casablanca due to a knee injury.