Just after Morocco’s qualification for the quarter-finals, Achraf Hakimi, named man of the match, appeared in a press conference very happy, proud to have been able to contribute to his country’s qualification. He shared his state of mind and the various congratulatory messages he received, especially the one sent by his PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappé.
While his participation in the match between Morocco and Malawi was uncertain, Achraf Hakimi delivered Morocco by scoring the goal that allowed the Atlas Lions to advance to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Moroccan player was warmly applauded by the international press.
Malawi would have used "black magic" to qualify for the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. The controversy is raging on social media, just hours before the match against Morocco.
Sevilla FC is suffering terribly from the absence of Yassine Bounou , currently in Cameroon where he is participating in the Africa Cup of Nations with the Atlas Lions. In nine games without the Moroccan goalkeeper, the Spanish club has conceded nine goals.
The Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé will tremble this Tuesday from 8pm with the Morocco-Malawi match counting for the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. The two sports teams are keen on victory and are equal on several points.
Will Achraf Hakimi be present against Malawi? In a press conference, the coach of the Atlas Lions indicated that the right-back is doing well and the probability that he will be on the pitch this Tuesday is very strong.
Morocco will face Malawi this Tuesday for the match counting for the round of 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. During his pre-match press conference, Vahid Halilhodzic said he was convinced of his players’ ability to meet the challenge.
Among the European clubs that did not want to release African internationals to allow them to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, there is Watford. The Premier League English club tried to retain Moroccan player Adam Masina, but he refused.
Even though he was unable to travel to Cameroon, for disciplinary reasons, Noussair Mazraoui has remained very close to his former teammates. The right-back of Ajax Amsterdam has reassured them of his support throughout the competition.
After an almost flawless first group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) with two wins and a draw, Morocco enters the second phase of the 33rd edition of the CAN Cameroon 2021 on Tuesday, January 25. The Atlas Lions take on Malawi to secure their ticket to the quarter-finals.
Morocco will have to face Malawi without the national team midfielder Fayçal Fajr, the only positive case of Covid-19 within the Moroccan team.
The absence of Moroccans Yassine Bounou, Youssef En-Nesyri and Munir El Haddadi, who are participating in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, is seriously affecting their club, FC Seville, which drew (2-2) on Saturday against Celta.