Madrid – On the first day of Group F in the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Côte d’Ivoire, the Moroccan team, semi-finalists at the last World Cup in Qatar, delivered “the best performance”, according to reports from Spanish sports media on Thursday.
“Expectations were high to see Qatar’s World Cup surprise team in this African Cup, and they didn’t disappoint,” says the daily “Marca”, adding that the Atlas Lions presented their bid from the very first match, beating Tanzania (3-0).
“Morocco did their best against a Tanzanian team that was several notches below the big favorites, including Morocco,” notes the specialist newspaper, adding that Walid Regragui’s men’s crushing victory “was the most important of the first day.”
As a result, writes the Madrid-based AS newspaper, Morocco “is off to a good start at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations,” noting that “the Atlas Lions are, in fact, the favorites who put in the best performance.”
“Morocco’s undisputed victory” against Tanzania, who “didn’t even test goalkeeper Yassine Bounou,” the sports daily points out.
The team coached by Walid Regragui, a former Racing Santander player, has what it takes to do well at this AFCON, thanks to a balance between experienced players such as Hakimi, Saïss, Ziyech, and Amrabat, and younger players such as Ezzalzouli, Bilal El Khannouss, and Amine Adli, the latter of whom provided the assist in the match against Tanzania, details “AS.”
Morocco made a fine start to the competition, beating their Tanzania 3-0 on Wednesday at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro, on the 1st day of Group F at the AFCON.
At the end of the day, the Atlas Lions occupy first place in Group F with 3 points, followed by DR Congo and Zambia (both 1 pt), and Tanzania (0 pt).
