Morocco, a tournament favorite, aims to secure a pivotal victory against Congo DR at Stade Laurent Pokou this Sunday. Group F also features Zambia and Tanzania, with the latter two facing off after the Morocco-Congo DR clash.
Despite Morocco’s rich football history, having won the competition once in 1976 and reaching the final in 2004, the current squad is considered one of the strongest in the nation’s history. Fresh from a historic fourth-place finish in the World Cup in Qatar, expectations are high, and the Atlas Lions demonstrated their prowess in the tournament opener with a resounding 3-0 win over Tanzania.
Morocco’s defensive solidity was evident as they limited Tanzania to only two shots on goal, showcasing their well-rounded capabilities. In attacking prowess, the Atlas Lions are formidable, firing 14 shots in their tournament opener and maintaining an impressive goal-scoring record.
Under the guidance of coach Walid Regragui, Morocco has consistently started games strongly, leading at halftime in their last four matches and scoring 12 goals in their last five outings. The team’s current form makes them clear favorites, yet historical encounters with Congo DR in AFCON suggest a competitive match ahead.
Morocco and Congo DR have faced off five times in AFCON history, sharing one win each and drawing the remaining three encounters. This historical balance emphasizes that Congo DR, though considered the underdog, cannot be discounted.
Congo DR, twice crowned AFCON champions in the past, entered the competition as the second-favorite in their group. However, their opening match against Zambia yielded only one point, despite an attacking display that saw 25 shots at goal. Sebastien Desabre’s side needs to rectify their decision-making in the final third to pose a challenge to Morocco.
While Congo DR holds a more successful AFCON record historically, recent years have seen a shift, and they face a formidable task against the mighty Moroccans. The clash promises an exciting encounter between two competitive sides in pursuit of advancement in Group F.
Morocco’s recent AFCON form boasts a win, and in all competitions, they have showcased dominance with a record of WDWWWW. Congo DR, on the other hand, opened with a draw in AFCON and holds a form of DWLDLD across various competitions. As the teams prepare for this crucial match, the stage is set for a thrilling battle between the favorites and the determined underdogs.
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