Morocco’s national football coach, Walid Regragui, holds a unique connection to the country’s only Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 1976, having been just five months and 20 days old at the time. Decades later, Morocco aims to secure a second title, fueled by heightened expectations following their remarkable journey to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.
In 1976, Morocco clinched the AFCON title in a mini-league format, finishing first in Ethiopia with a late 1-1 draw against Guinea. Despite being a powerhouse in African football, the Atlas Lions have faced continuous disappointment in subsequent AFCON tournaments. Their closest brush with a second title occurred in 2004, with Regragui as the right-back in a team that lost 2-1 to Tunisia in the final.
The 2022 World Cup brought unprecedented success as Morocco became the first African and Arab semi-finalists, eliminating Spain and Portugal before falling to France in the semi-finals. This achievement has elevated expectations for the 2024 AFCON, with some pundits labeling Morocco as “red-hot favorites” for the title.
However, Regragui remains cautious, asserting that at least 10 teams have the potential to win the AFCON. Despite the pressure, he believes Morocco is not the sole favorite, acknowledging the progress of teams like Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria.
Morocco finds itself in Group F alongside former champions Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, along with Tanzania. Regragui acknowledges the challenging nature of the tournament, emphasizing the need for strength to navigate the “curse of the African Cup,” as Morocco has not advanced past the quarter-finals in their last seven AFCON appearances.
Group rivals DR Congo, under French coach Sebastien Desabre, pose a potential threat, boasting standout players like defender Chancel Mbemba and Premier League forward Yoane Wissa. Zambia, once African champions in 2012, aim for redemption after failing to qualify for the last three editions.
Tanzania, alongside fellow qualifiers Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Mozambique, and Namibia, aspire to secure their first AFCON title. As the tournament kicks off in the Ivory Coast on Saturday, Morocco faces the challenge of meeting heightened expectations and overcoming the historical hurdles in their quest for AFCON redemption.
