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Morocco aims to qualify for the most anticipated sporting event for the second time in a row after their historic qualification to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018. The national squad will open its campaign by facing Sudan today, September 2, in the first round of the World Cup qualifiers.
Following the qualification of the Atlas Lions for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations last March, Vahid Halilodzic, Morocco’s head coach, is now targeting a spot in Qatar next year.
Morocco – the overwhelming favorite to top its group – competes in Group I, along with Sudan, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match between Morocco and Sudan.
When and how can you watch it?
Three SNRT channels will air the game, namely; Arryadia, Al Aoula, and Tamazight, starting at 8 pm local time. French sports television channel L’Equipe will broadcast the game.
What is the team news?
Watford’s Imran Louza hopes to make his national team debut and take advantage of Hakim Ziyech not being in the squad. Hakim Ziyech has been omitted from the squad due to his “unacceptable behavior” in the last two games of Morocco.
“His behavior in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player who as a leader in the team has to be a positive role model,” said the Bosnian coach in a press conference.
“He arrived late and after that, he even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterward, as a coach the answer is right there to see. For me, the national team is above everything, nobody can hold it hostage,” he continued.
Predicted line-up
Yassine Bounou looks set to retain his No.1 position; the Sevilla goalkeeper has been a key player since the appointment of Vahid Halilhodzic.
Halilhodzic is expected to opt for a back four with Morocco’s captain Romain Saiss and Rennes’ Nayef Aguerd to play in center-back, like he did at the majority of the matches. It has always been proven that the two players form a solid defensive line when they play together.
PSG’s Achraf Hakimi will undoubtedly fill the right-back position. The Moroccan international football player has already been making headlines since joining his new club. Additionally, Adam Masina should retain his position as a left-back, despite the difficult start of his club at the English Premier League.
The Atlas Lions played with a double pivot of Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat and Benfica’s Adel Taarabt throughout the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and that appears to stay the same.
Either Standard Liege’s Selim Amallah or Eintracht Frankfurt’s Aymen Barkok will complete the midfield puzzle. Neither of the two players has performed well in the national team. Despite this, Halilhodzic has full faith and confidence in the two players.
French club Angers FC attacking midfield Sofiane Boufal seems to be responsible for creating goal-scoring opportunities for Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri. At the beginning of this season, both players were crucial to their clubs. The first has scored two goals from four appearances in France’s Ligue 1. The second, meanwhile, has been involved in three goals from 3 games for his Spanish team.
Munir El Haddadi and Achraf Bencharki will compete for the final spot to play alongside Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofiane Boufal.
