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By AFP
Morocco, whose coach Walid Regragui was only a few months old when they last won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976, are eager to put an end to their 48-year trophy drought.
In the 1976 tournament, Morocco secured a late 1-1 draw with Guinea to clinch the title in Ethiopia. Despite being a football powerhouse, Morocco has been unable to secure a second triumph since then, with their closest attempt being a 2004 final defeat to Tunisia.
Despite numerous disappointments in the Cup of Nations, Morocco made headlines by reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, a feat that elevated them to the status of the first African and Arab semi-finalists.
The remarkable World Cup performance has heightened expectations for Morocco at the 2024 Cup of Nations, with some pundits considering them “red-hot favourites.” Placed in Group F alongside former champions the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, as well as outsiders Tanzania, Morocco faces a challenging road to glory.
Despite the pressure and high expectations, Regragui is cautious, acknowledging that around 10 teams have the potential to win the Cup of Nations. He emphasizes the strength of teams like Algeria, Egypt, the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria, all of whom did not qualify for the World Cup but are considered strong contenders.
Morocco’s recent history in the Cup of Nations has been marred by quarter-final exits, with a shocking last-16 loss to Benin in 2019. Regragui rejects the notion of being outright favorites, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament where any team can emerge victorious.
In their group, the Democratic Republic of Congo, led by coach Sebastien Desabre, poses a significant threat with key players like Chancel Mbemba and Premier League forward Yoane Wissa. While Regragui hopes for a quarter-final berth, he remains wary of the challenges posed by other strong teams.
Zambia, once a formidable force but absent from the last three editions, aims for a resurgence under coach Patson Daka. Despite their recent struggles, Daka believes they have returned to where they belong. Tanzania, alongside other qualifiers, harbors the ambition of winning the tournament for the first time.
The stage is set for an intense competition as Morocco seeks to break the “curse of the African Cup” and claim a long-awaited second title.
