AFCON 2021: Morocco vs Ghana- PREVIEW

The Black Stars begin their quest for an elusive fifth Africa Cup of Nations trophy with a clash against Morocco on Monday.

The heavyweights face off in the opening game of Group C at Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde at 4pm.

Both teams are favored by the bookmakers to qualify in a group that also consists Gabon and debutants Comoros.

Ghana is aiming for redemption after crashing out to Tunisia in the one-eight stage in the last edition in 2019.

The man tasked to steer the West African country to glory is Coach Milovan Rajevac.

The Serbian tactician is no stranger to the African terrain; having led the Black Stars to the final of the competition in 2010 during his first stint where they lost narrowly to Egypt in the final.

This is Ghana’s 23rd appearance in the Afcon, the most after Egypt (25) and Ivory Coast (24).

They won the tournament in four of their first seven appearances (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982) but have won none of their subsequent 15.

Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions come into the tournament as the second best rated team in Africa and one of the genuine title contenders.

The North African giants haven’t lost in regular time across their last 27 matches since a 3-2 defeat to Gabon in November 2019.

They have kept clean sheets in 14 of their last 16 matches, a run that includes a 1-0 win over Ghana in the summer of 2021.

This is Morocco’s 18th participation in the Afcon tournament – their only title dates back to 1976 and the only time they’ve reached the final since then was in 2004, losing 2-1 against hosts Tunisia. 2004 was also the last time they made it past the quarter-finals.

The two nations have met three times previously at the continental showpiece, all in the group phase – their head-to-head record is perfectly balanced with one win each and one draw.

Probable line-ups:

Morocco XI:
Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Tissoudali; Amrabat, Fajr, Barkok; Munir, Boufal, En-Nesyri

Ghana XI:
Wollacott; Djiku, Amartey, Yiadom, Rahman; Partey, Baba, Issahaku; Painstil, Andre Ayew J Ayew