“Favourites” Morocco convincingly top AFCON group
Morocco eased to the top of their group at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, according to BBC News.
The Atlas Lions, seen as one of the favourites for the tournament, were in Group F alongside 2012 AFCON winners Zambia, Tanzania, and DR Congo.
The North African outfit amassed 7 points across the three games, kicking off with a convincing win against the Tanzanians before being frustrated by a spirited DR Congo side, drawing 1-1.
In their final group game, they dashed Zambia’s hopes of progressing to the last 16 as one of the best third placed teams as a Hakim Ziyech goal proved enough to give the Moroccans the three points on January 24.
Football in the country is looking very promising given that they have built on their 2022 World Cup success, semifinalists in Qatar, and have a team decorated with stars from top European leagues, West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Bono, not to be confused with the famous singer from Irish rock band U2, to name a few.
READ: Tunisia gaffer steps down after dismal AFCON campaign
Bono, also known as Yassine Bounou, is currently considered as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and played his football for La Liga side Sevilla before moving to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Hilal.
In contrast to Morocco’s success, their Maghreb neighbours severely disappointed in Ivory Coast as both Algeria and Tunisia finished bottom of their groups, amassing a couple of points each.
The pair’s dismal AFCON campaign resulted in the departure of Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi and Tunisian gaffer Jabel Kadri.
Minnows Mauritania achieved a shock qualification to the last-16 as they beat Algeria 1-0 to secure their first points at the 2023 finals, going through as one of the four best third placed teams.
The Mauritanians will face Cape Verde in the last-16 on January 29 (17:00 local time) whilst Africa’s highest ranked team, Morocco will have all eyes on South Africa on January 30 (20:00 local time).
BBC News
