Former, Tunisia, Mali, and Senegal gaffer Jean Alain Guiress has said he has a firm belief in the sufficient experience of Morocco to win the AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Morocco was one of the surprise packages in last year’s World Cup in Qatar as they became first Africa’s semi-finalists in Qatar.
The former French coach, in an interview with the Africa Top Sports website, said,
“The level of the teams in Africa Cup of Nations develops and rises in every edition as there are also players who shine in Major European clubs.”
He went on adding that the small countries, as they say, gave problems to the big nations in the last edition, and that gives a higher level in any edition. He continued;
“I believe Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast have great potential and enough experience to win the AFCON.”
Morocco’s triumph in the continental showpiece only came in 1976 in Ethiopia. Since that time, the country has struggled to make a significant impact in the AFCON with the exception of 2004 when they lost in the finals to hosts Tunisia.
Recent outings in the AFCON have not been quite up to the country’s expectations as they lost in quarter finals against Egypt in 2027 and 2021, lost to Benin in 2019 at Round of 16 through penalty shootout and group stage exits in 2012 and 2013.
With the level of quality at their disposal, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En Neysri, the Atlas Lions have what it takes to whether the storm this time around in Ivory Coast.
Paired in Group F alongside 2012 Champions Zambia, 2 time winners DR Congo and Tanzania, the Atlas Lions should have enough quality to progress past the group stages.
In as much as Giresse believes Morocco coach Walid Regragui can land the title for the second time, it’s a herculean task in Ivory Coast.
