Roaring into AFCON: Atlas Lions’ Top 5 Players Ready to Dominate Africa

With an impressive 3-0 victory against Tanzania in their AFCON opener, Morocco’s Atlas Lions look poised to live up to Moroccan fans’ high expectations of a talented and increasingly mature team that is just coming from a history-making performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

As the Walid Regragui-coached Atlas Lions Morocco look to build on Hakimi’s defensive brilliance, En-Nesyri’s goal-scoring prowess, and Ziyech’s usually reliable presence in the team’s creative department to end a nearly five-decade wait for a second continental glory, below is a top 5 ranking of Morocco’s Atlas Lions.

5. Yassine Bounou (GK)

Recently selected as 2023 Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper and ranked third worldwide, the 32-year-old goalkeeper is undoubtedly the most reliable part of the Moroccan backline.

Bono’s outstanding performance in the 2022 World Cup charged the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals, bolstering support worldwide for the North African team. Sincetransfer from Sevilla FC to Al-Hilal SFC after the 2022 World Cup, Bono has thrived in his new team, with 12 clean sheets in 17 appearances. Al-Hilal is currently undefeated, topping the table in the current season.

The Atlas Lions keeper is considered a strong contender for the 2024 AFCON Golden Glove and one to watch out for.

4. Hakim Ziyech (RW)

After returning to Walid Regragui’s Morocco National Football Team, the 30 year-old Netherlands-born right winger boasts powerful attacking capabilities.

Ziyech is an efficient attacker who scored 4 goals and 2 assists for the Galatasaray in 14 appearances during the 23/24 season. His famous “magic left foot” has converted a considerable number of crucial free kicks. Most recently, Ziyech scored twice by free kick in his Turkish club’s Champions League game against Man United.

3. Youssef En-Nesyri (CF)

A forward core and strong striker for Sevilla FC, Youssef En-Nesyri is an indispensable part of Morocco National Football Team. Header is En-Nesyri’s primary scoring method, with a height of 1.92m and outstanding jumping ability, he scored a total of 9 goals this season, with 6 of them being headers.

A Fez native, the Atlas Lions’ striker is a big-game player. Most notably, En-Nesyri scored the winning goal of the match in the World Cup quarter-finals game against Portugal, historically propelling Morocco to the semi-finals of the global tournament.

Coming into the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, En-Nesyri’s headers are one of the Atlas Lions’ most ferocious attacks in the team’s arsenal. Contributing to Morocco’s comfortable victory over Tanzania on Wednesday, the Sevilla striker made history by becoming the first Moroccan to score in four consecutive AFCON tournaments.

2. Sofyan Amrabat (CDM)

Although Amrabat is not an absolute mainstay in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United team, he still showcased his characteristics in limited playing time.

Undoubtedly, he is still a trustworthy player after proving himself in both ACF Fiorentina and the 2022 World Cup.

Tireless running and aggressive tackles makes Amrabat an iron gate in front of the backline, putting him in a fantastic position to perform at the ongoing AFCON.

1. Achraf Hakimi (RB)

One of the world’s best players at the right-back position, Achraf Hakimi is the most expensive Moroccan player — with a market value of 65 million Euros, according to Transfermarkt.

The Castilla-native has had a glittering career so far, after experiencing the challenges of the Bundesliga and Serie A. The irreplaceable right-back has become a key player, and one of the first names on the team sheet for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team.

Hakimi’s astonishing speed and incredible technical prowess allow him to balance both offense and defense with swift ease.

At the age of 25, Hakimi is expected to become the next Moroccan captain, leveraging his proven abilities to lead Morocco to even greater heights.