25 days to AFCON: Morocco coach targets continental glory

It is barely 25 days to the commencement of the much anticipated TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Cote d’Ivoire 2023, which is scheduled to take off from Saturday, January 13 to Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Ahead of the competition, head coach of Morocco, Walid Regragui believes his side stand a better chance to claim the coveted trophy following their heroic performance at the last FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which “put Africa on the world map.”

Coach Regragui, who is himself a former Moroccan player, attributed their chances to grab the continental title to various rigorous preparations coupled with the mood in his camp ahead of the tournament.

The 48-year-old gaffer, who was adjudged African Coach of the Year at the 2023 CAF Awards held in Abidjan is of the view that winning one of Africa’s topmost award was enough motivation to aim for more success on the continent.

Morocco have won the AFCON title only once – in 1976. The Atlas Lions were finalists in 2004 losing to hosts Tunisia 2-1 in a tense final and they also won bronze in 1980.

The Moroccans have been drawn in Group F alongside Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Tanzania and will play at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro in the south western part of Côte d’Ivoire.

“What we did at the World Cup was historic and when people recognize this talent, it means so much to me and everyone on the team. It was an unbelievable achievement at the World Cup. We put Africa on the world map,” coach Regragui said.

“But now, we have a different mindset. The Africa Cup of Nations is very, very tough but we are going with the same spirit and inshallah, if we do our very best, we are going to win this trophy,” he told CAF Online.

He dedicated his award to the entire team for their immense contribution to his success saying: “I am very proud and honoured to have received this beautiful award. It is not just for me. This is a collective trophy. It is a group trophy. I would never be here if it was not for the players, coaching staff, the entire team, and everyone who has supported us each step of the way.”

Cote d’Ivoire will host the tournament for the first time since 1984 and the matches will be played in six stadiums across five host cities – Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro.

The 24 teams vying for honours in the competition have been divided into six groups of four teams each, with intriguing fixtures like Egypt versus Ghana in Group B Cote d’Ivoire against Nigeria in Group A and Senegal versus Cameroon in Group C.