The gaze of Moroccan football enthusiasts turns towards Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, Ivory Coast, this Tuesday evening.
The stadium is set to host a crucial match between the national team of Morocco and their South African counterparts, marking the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations (Ivory Coast 2023).
The squad led by Walid Regragui enters the encounter with a strong determination to secure victory, propelling them forward in their quest for the long-awaited title.
The national team, backed by its fervent supporters, aims to decisively win this match, advance to the quarterfinals, and extend the winning streak that saw them top Group 6 with 7 points – victories against Tanzania (3-0) and Zambia (1-0), and a draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-1).
This match is notable for the return of the national team’s coach, Walid Regragui, to the sidelines after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) lifted his two-match suspension.
This disciplinary action stemmed from the incidents following the Morocco vs. Democratic Republic of Congo match.
Before this highly anticipated and competitive clash, the Atlas Lions received a setback with the conclusion of Sofiane Boufal’s journey in the African Cup of Nations due to a muscle injury.
However, hopes rest on the shoulders of the players tasked with ensuring a ticket to the quarterfinals.
In this regard, national selector Walid Regragui stated in the pre-match press conference, “The Africa Cup of Nations is over for Sofiane; it happened during training.
He suffered a muscular injury that will prevent him from continuing in the tournament unless a miracle occurs.”
Regarding Hakim Ziyech, who is nursing an ankle injury, Regragui added, “We are racing against time to have him at the disposal of the national team against South Africa.
We will spare no effort to make him ready tomorrow.”
As for full-back Nacer Mazraoui, Regragui noted, “He is ready to play against South Africa.
The plan we put in place has borne fruit.
Nacer is now eligible to participate with the national team.”
Regragui concluded, “We must be humble. We will rely on our skills to reach the quarterfinals.
It will be a very tough match.”
South Africa’s national team, known as “Bafana Bafana,” qualified for the Round of 16 by finishing second in Group 5 with four points.
This included a defeat to Mali (0-2), a victory over Namibia (4-0), and a draw against Tunisia (0-0).
Coach Hugo Broos expressed confidence that if his team approaches the match with the same mental state as in previous games, they can create a surprise against Morocco.
He emphasized that they are in a rebuilding phase, experiencing a new challenge, and their primary goal is to qualify for the quarterfinals.
South Africa, absent from the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, is seeking to replicate the success of the 1996 generation, which won the title during the tournament held on home soil.
Since then, the South African national team has achieved varying results, reaching the final in 1998, the semifinals in 2000, and facing mixed fortunes in subsequent editions.
The winner of this match will face Cape Verde in the quarterfinals, who secured their spot on Monday by defeating Mauritania with a lone goal.
