Morocco coach expects AFCON 2023 to be among the best ever

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has tipped this edition of the African Cup of Nations to become among the best, remaining realistic about his team's chances amid the expected tough competition in the tournament.

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Saturday 13 Jan 2024,

Morocco coach. Photo: CAF

The 24-team prestigious continental tournament is set to kick off on Saturday in Cote d Ivoire and lasts until 12 February.

“This edition will sure be among the best throughout the African Cup history, especially amid the participation of these teams that include players of top-level clubs from all over the world,” Regragui was quoted as saying by Moroccan newspaper Almountakhab on Saturday.

Morocco, drawn in Group F alongside DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania, will start their Nations Cup campaign on Wednesday, 17 January, against Tanzania.

With a single title in 1976 and a finalist appearance in 2004, the Moroccan national team hopes to end their 48-year African trophy drought and win the title.

Despite the high expectations surrounding the Atlas Lions, especially after reaching the 2022 World Cup semis, Regragui remains realistic about his team's chances.

“We are realistic and highly motivated at the same time, and this applies to all other teams too, but we are humble enough to say that we respect other opponents and are not the best team on paper,” the 48-year-old coach explained.

“But we sure want to return home with the African Cup,” he added.

In their last preparatory game for the AFCON, Morocco secured a 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone on Thursday at the San Pedro stadium in Cote d'Ivoire.

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