Morocco’s national team heads into the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 with a clear mission: to halt the wave of Arab exits from the tournament currently being hosted on Moroccan soil. Arab football fans endured a difficult night after both Tunisia and Sudan were eliminated from the competition, intensifying pressure on the remaining teams still in contention.
Sudan’s campaign came to an end after a 3–1 defeat to Senegal in Tangier, while Tunisia bowed out following a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Mali. The Tunisian side had forced extra time after a 1–1 draw but failed to hold their nerve from the spot at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium. These exits left Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria as the only Arab representatives still standing in the knockout phase.
Morocco take center stage on Sunday evening when they face Tanzania at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Backed by home support and strong group-stage performances, the Atlas Lions are aiming to secure a place in the quarterfinals and restore momentum for Arab football in the tournament. The match carries symbolic weight, as Morocco seek to prevent further early eliminations for teams from the region.
Under head coach Walid Regragui, Morocco enter the tie with confidence after topping Group A with seven points. They opened their campaign with a 2–0 victory over Comoros, followed by a 1–1 draw against Mali, before closing the group stage with a commanding 3–0 win over Zambia. The team’s balance between defensive solidity and attacking efficiency has made them one of the tournament favorites.
Much of Morocco’s attacking hopes rest on the form of Ayoub El Kaabi and Ibrahim Díaz, both of whom are expected to play key roles in breaking down the Tanzanian defense. With the tournament final scheduled for January 18, Moroccan fans are hoping their side can build on their strong start and push deep into the competition.
Elsewhere, Egypt will face Benin on Monday evening in their own round-of-16 clash, while Algeria are set to meet the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday. Algeria’s match will be officiated by an Egyptian refereeing team led by Mohamed Maarouf, adding another layer of Arab involvement as the knockout stage continues.
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