Hosting the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1988, Morocco were almost unanimously regarded as the clear favourites going into the 35th edition of the tournament. That tag has often been a curse in the competition’s storied history, but the Atlas Lions have risen to the occasion and delivered in front of their fans.

By Neel Shelat

A pressure cauldron in Rabat

The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat is the new home of the Atlas Lions, at least for the time being. Built on the site of the old stadium of the same name, the state-of-the-art 69,500-capacity venue is a physical manifestation of the next step of Morocco’s footballing and national ambitions.

For one, it hardly looks anything like the country’s traditional old stadiums, which are far more barebones and functional. Many of them only have one tier in the stands, often in a bowl-like structure that encircles the pitch. They certainly do not look too imposing from the outside and have little by way of a polished facade, but the swathes of supporters standing and singing in unison can create incredible atmospheres on the inside. The Stade Mohammed V — the setting of the iconic Casablanca derbies — is perhaps the archetype of this kind of stadium, a relic of the era when financial investment in football was limited, but comfortably made up for by limitless passion in the stands.

Compared to them, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium seems to be in a different world with its three-tiered stands and unmistakable exterior that almost resembles some sort of steel embroidery. The outside can be lit up with its embedded LED technology, giving it a very modern feel. In some ways, the differences between the two aforementioned venues epitomise the perceived tension between fan culture in Rabat and Casablanca, which we previously touched on during the tournament.

At the end of the day, though, the fans coming into the new Moulay Abdellah Stadium were the same as those that graced the old venue, so their passion was not going to be contained. While the more enclosed structure might split them up into more sections, the reverberations created when they all chant in unison are something quite special. So, the biggest difference was in their expectations.

Although Morocco’s last AFCON title came way back in 1976, their supporters are awaiting nothing short of the trophy this year. Their Round of 16 exit in the previous edition was regarded as a failure, despite it being a record-setting fourth-consecutive knockout appearance for them. The Atlas Lions’ historic 2022 World Cup campaign was a part of the reason behind that, but the bigger factor was an increasing level of demand from the supporters in response to increased investment.

Not everyone in Morocco is best pleased with the government’s decision to spend north of a billion US dollars on infrastructure projects in the lead up to the country’s co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup, but the least they hope to see for it is tangible success on the pitch. The investment in developing top-class domestic academies as well as recruiting from the diaspora has certainly strengthened the team, as is evidenced by their status as the highest-ranked nation on the continent, but that will be of little consolation to the fans if the final does not go their way.

Tactical developments

Head coach Walid Regragui has perhaps felt this high-pressure environment more than anyone else. One might expect that his role as the architect behind their unforgettable World Cup run would cement a legendary status, but he has instead faced quite a bit of discontent from his compatriots in the stands.

This feeling has really grown after the Atlas Lions’ AFCON 2023 elimination, with supporters faulting Regragui’s supposedly defensive style of play, which they believed to be fit against giants on the global stage but less effective on the continent where Morocco are expected to dominate.

In truth, the ex-Wydad coach does deserve some credit for the way he sets his side up to control proceedings with possession in Africa, but it would be fair to say that his tactics tend to be more conservative. The fans may want to see a more free-flowing side, but that may lead to a riskier approach.

Morocco can still boast of the best defensive record in the tournament with just one goal conceded after six games. In the recent knockout rounds, they almost completely nullified an exciting Cameroonian side as well as the tournament’s top scorers in Nigeria. This surely would not have been possible without Regragui’s meticulous cautiousness.

The 50-year-old tactician also deserves credit for the way he has made tweaks to his side. For one, he has been reaping the rewards of accommodating Brahim Díaz into the fold as the Real Madrid star looks primed to win the Golden Boot. Midway through the tournament, he seamlessly introduced the returning Achraf Hakimi into the team, improved the midfield dynamics by deploying young Neil El Aynaoui in a holding role and added a new dimension to the attack by offering a starting spot to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. Much of this might be easy to overlook at a casual glance, but it has all been crucial in the Atlas Lions’ knockout campaign.

Contributions from all over the squad

Although Díaz’s five goals have propelled him into all the headlines, one of the great strengths of this Moroccan side is that they can count on telling contributions from almost anywhere. As many as nine of their players have registered goal contributions throughout the tournament, from bicycle kick specialist striker Ayoub El Kaabi to tall centre-back Nayef Aguerd.

Of course, not everyone who contributes to the team’s victories always has their name up on the scoresheet. The aforementioned El Aynaoui has been solid in midfield, while Bilal El Khannouss has done a decent job of replacing the injured Azzedine Ounahi beside him, and Ismael Saibari has supported the attacks well. Yassine Bounou has not been called into action much, but he made the most of his moment in the spotlight in the penalty shoot-out win over Nigeria. But perhaps the most consistent performer has been Noussair Mazroaui, who started off in a more attacking role at right back before slotting into a platforming position on the left following Hakimi’s return, all without missing a beat.

The seventh match to be held at the new Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will once again feature the Atlas Lions, this time with the title on the line against 2021 champions Senegal. The stage is set for anyone and everyone to etch their names into the pantheon of Moroccan legends on Sunday night.

(Images via IMAGO)

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