Morocco’s World Cup Success Fails to Translate in Africa Cup of Nations Exit

14 months ago, the Moroccan national team was the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup and was seen as the big favorite for the Africa Cup of Nations, writes Reuters.

Before this competition, the Atlas Lions had a good record, with only one defeat in 12 matches (against South Africa!). They had prepared well, even arriving a week before the start of the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire to get used to the heat and humidity.

Unfortunately, the Moroccans’ journey ended on Tuesday, eliminated in the round of 16. This perpetuates their difficult history in this tournament, which they have only won once, 48 years ago. And nothing since then!

Over the past ten years, the Moroccan team, with its players playing in major European clubs and its virtually unlimited resources, was often considered one of the favorites for the Africa Cup of Nations, the same source specifies.

For Walid Regragui, coach of the Atlas Lions: "For Morocco, the Africa Cup of Nations is always complicated. We are often seen as favorites, but we have not managed to reach the semi-finals regularly. Our last final dates back to 2004.

The same observation from captain Romain Saiss, who expressed his disappointment: "We are sad for ourselves and for the Moroccans who had great expectations. This Africa Cup of Nations is unpredictable. We should have played better. We have to finish the matches when we have the opportunity. We have to bounce back and avoid these mistakes".