Morocco suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to USA in an international friendly at the TQL stadium, in Cincinnati last week.
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The Group K action in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification starts on Thursday with African powerhouse Morocco taking on South Africa at the Multi-purpose Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The teams will contend with the only other nation in the group, Liberia, for the two automatic slots at next year’s continental event following Zimbabwe’s disqualification by FIFA. Meanwhile both nations head into the contest on the back of defeats in international friendlies. Morocco suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss at the hands of USA at the TQL Stadium, in Cincinnati. As for South Africa, they were thrashed 5-0 by France two months ago at Pierre Mauroy Stadium. Hugo Broos’ side couldn’t get a warm-up match because the domestic Premiership competition ended nine days after the scheduled finish for the season.
Game day is creeping closer. Another good day of training behind us. #BafanaPride #AFCONQualifiers #AFCON2023Q pic.twitter.com/6zHcg9m7Yv
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 7, 2022
The Atlas Lions were left red faced in their most recent outing, earlier this month in the USA. Goals from Brenden Aaronson, Timothy Weah and Haji Wright handed Morocco only their second defeat of the year. However, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side has enough quality in their ranks to pull their socks up and get back to winning ways. Meanwhile Morocco will be taking part in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar and these games would be more like a preparation for the global event. The Atlas Lions are drawn in Group F alongside World No. 2 Belgium, 2018 finalists Croatia and North America side Canada. The hosts are unbeaten in their home turf since a 3-2 loss at the hands of Gabon back in 2019.
South Africa, on the other hand, played their last match against the world champions France in March. Kylian Mbappe netted abrace, while Olivier Giroud, Wissa Ben Yedder and Matteo Guendouzi netted one goal each for the Blues to earn a five-star victory at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. It was Bafana Bafana’s second loss in the last three games and Broos’ side has failed to find the back of the net in that time. South Africa would be aiming to return to the continental even after missing out on last edition and will need to turn things around at both ends as soon as possible. Despite a big gap between Morocco (24) and South Africa (69) on the latest world rankings, Bafana Bafana has a fair record against the Atlas Lions.
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Morocco boss Halihodzic is unlikely to make any drastic changes to the team that lost against the USA. Sevilla striker Youssef En Nesyri, who started on the bench in the previous match is likely to come in and lead the attack.
As for South Africa, Broos has picked up 28 players for the first round of qualifiers. Terrence Mashego suffered a knee injury and has been released from the national team camp.
Morocco probable starting lineup: Bono, Masina, Aguerd, Saiss, Mmaee, Hakimi, Ounahi, Amrabat, Taarabat, El Kaabi, En Nesyri.
South Africa probable starting lineup: Williams, Maela, Mobbie, Lakay, Phete, Morena, Maart, Maboe, Tau, Dolly, Makgopa
The 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Morocco and South Africa will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and it will kickoff at 12:30 am IST on June 10, Friday.
A selection of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be telecast live on beIN SPORTS.
