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Liam Foster - January 10, 2024
The group F would see Morocco, one of Africa’s strongest and favourites for this edition of the AFCON, along with the DR Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia, in what many believe to be an open group.
Morocco are one of the tournament’s favourites, having demonstrated their brilliance by being the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar, and will be looking to duplicate their success in AFCON, which occurred in 1976.
The Atlas Lions are equipped with some of the world’s most gifted players at their disposal, including Achraf Hakimi, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Hakim Ziyech, and Yassine Bounou, among others.
However, it would be noteworthy to note Morocco’s lack of depth in certain elements of defence (left back), as well as the fact that Ayoub El Kaabi is injured as a striker, which may alter their strategy to go all the way.
The team that could give some fight to Morocco would most likely be DR Congo, who will return to competition after a hiatus in 2021. The Leopards have a number of well-known players, including Yoane Wissa, Arthur Masuaku, Simon Banza, Cédric Bakambu, and their captain, Chancel Mbemba. But the team’s lack of depth makes it difficult for them to compete against formidable opponents.
Zambia, the team that produced one of the greatest shocks in AFCON history by winning the competition in 2012, would be hoping for a strong tournament this time around after qualifying for the first time since 2015.
The Copper Bullets lack players with higher-level experience, although Avram Grant does have some quality attacking options, including Patson Daka, who has a great Afcon qualification goalscoring record, along with Fashion Sakala and Lameck Banda.
Tanzania has only qualified twice for the AFCON. The Taifa Stars are the bottom-seeded team in the group and among the lowest-ranked teams in the AFCON this season.
Adel Amrouche’s team does lack quality and experience at the top, with only Mbwana Samatta possessing any level of expertise.
Morocco, headed by its top players, are heavily expected to win the group because of their superior offensive and defensive abilities when compared to the other teams in the competition. DR Congo, on the other hand, would finish second in the rankings since their players contributed far more than the other two.
Zambia’s offensive would enable them to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group, while Tanzania may give little and finish at the bottom.
Prediction: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania.
