Morocco to win Africa Cup of Nations 2023 odds: Confirmed squad, tactics, ranking & form
Morocco are seeking to end a near five-decade trophy at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Atlas Lions, who last held Africa’s major continental prize in 1976, have been drawn into Group F alongside DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.
Morocco are 5/1 with Bet365 to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage
| FIXTURE | STADIUM | DATE |
| Morocco vs Tanzania | Laurent Pokou Stadium | 17 January, 5pm (UK time) |
| Morocco vs DR Congo | Laurent Pokou Stadium | 21 January, 2pm (UK time) |
| Zambia vs Morocco | Laurent Pokou Stadium | 24 January, 8pm (UK time) |
Morocco tactical analysis & formation at the Africa Cup of Nations
The progression Morocco have made under Walid Regragui is nothing short of remarkable. Under his leadership, they became the first African side to play a FIFA World Cup semi-final, and subsequently come into this AFCON as CAF’s highest-ranked team and will be expected to contend for the crown. A record of 11 wins from 19 played with three losses (Croatia and France inflicting two of those) speaks volumes for the work Regragui is doing.
Regragui is blessed with a plethora of talents at his disposal, which he predominantly utilises in an orthodox 4-3-3 with a single pivot and two widemen supporting a centre-forward. Sofyan Amrabat, who is yet to pull up any trees at Old Trafford, sits ahead of a back four which should feature Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui in the full-back positions. Further up the field, Hakim Ziyech should take up his spot on Morocco’s right wing in support of striker Youssef En-Nesyri, while Bayer Leverkusen winger Amine Adli is expected to be on the other flank.
Morocco players to watch at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations
Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot contenders – Youssef En-Nesyri
This will be Youssef En-Nesyri’s fourth Africa Cup of Nations, with the Sevilla marksman having bagged four goals to date. All of those strikes were spread across each previous tournament, with En-Nesyri never scoring more than twice in a single edition. But as the most prolific member of Walid Regragui’s team (17 international goals) En-Nesyri is expected to lead the line and head into this year’s competition fresh off his 2022 World Cup success.
Back in Qatar, En-Nesyri — who is 12/1 with bet365 to win the Golden Boot — scored three times including against Spain and Portugal, the latter a winning goal.
Morocco player to watch – Ismael Saibari
There is no shortage of game-changers and match-winners in this Morocco squad. Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Amrabat and Hakim Ziyech are but a few. In a youthful-looking Atlas Lions — no fewer than 11 of the 27 selected aged 25 or under — it’s PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ismael Saibari who could end up enjoying a breakout tournament. The 22-year-old, born in Spain, is now established at the PSV having spent much of his formative years in Belgium where he passed through Beerschot, Anderlecht and Genk’s respective academies.
Saibari netted his first Eredivisie goals this season, becoming a lynchpin of Peter Bosz’s record-setting team. “I miss him already,” Bosz said during PSV’s winter break training. “If you saw what he did for us in the first half of the season. He made the difference.”
His performances led to an international debut against Burkina Faso and he’s since won three further caps. However, Saibari is yet to start and the expectation is he’ll be used from the bench, a role he’s performed effectively at club level.
Confirmed Morocco Africa Cup of Nations squad
| PLAYER NAME | POSITION | AGE | CLUB |
| Yassine Bounou | Goalkeeper | 32 | Al-Hilal |
| Munir Mohamedi | Goalkeeper | 34 | Al-Wehda |
| Mehdi Benabid | Goalkeeper | 35 | AS FAR |
| Achraf Hakimi | Defender | 25 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Noussair Mazraoui | Defender | 26 | Bayern Munich |
| Nayef Aguerd | Defender | 27 | West Ham |
| Romain Saïss | Defender | 33 | Al Shabab |
| Chadi Riad | Defender | 20 | Real Betis |
| Abdel Abqar | Defender | 24 | Alavés |
| Yahia Attiyat Allah | Defender | 28 | Wydad AC |
| Yunis Abdelhamid | Defender | 36 | Reims |
| Mohamed Chibi | Defender | 30 | Pyramids |
| Sofyan Amrabat | Midfielder | 27 | Man Utd |
| Azzedine Ounahi | Midfielder | 23 | Marseille |
| Amine Harit | Midfielder | 26 | Marseille |
| Ismael Saibari | Midfielder | 22 | PSV |
| Oussama El Azzouzi | Midfielder | 22 | Bologna |
| Selim Amallah | Midfielder | 33 | Valencia |
| Bilal El Khannous | Midfielder | 19 | Genk |
| Amir Richardson | Midfielder | 21 | Reims |
| Hakim Ziyech | Forward | 30 | Galatasaray |
| Tarik Tissoudali | Forward | 30 | Gent |
| Abde Ezzalzouli | Forward | 22 | Real Betis |
| Sofiane Boufal | Forward | 30 | Al-Rayyan |
| Youssef En-Nesyri | Forward | 26 | Sevilla |
| Ayoub El Kaabi | Forward | 30 | Olympiacos |
| Amine Adli | Forward | 23 | Bayer Leverkusen |
Where are Morocco in the FIFA world rankings?
Morocco are currently 13th in the FIFA world rankings, sandwiched between USA and Colombia.
Who is the Morocco manager?
Walid Regragui was named Morocco manager in 2022, replacing Vahid Halilhodžić.
Who is the current Morocco captain?
Romain Saïss is the Morocco captain, first handed the armband at Burundi (0-3) in November 2019.
How many times have Morocco won the Africa Cup of Nations?
Morocco’s only success came in 1976, and they’ve reached one final since (2004).
How many times have Morocco competed in the Africa Cup of Nations?
Making their first appearance in 1972, Morocco has been involved in 20 Africa Cup of Nations including the 2023 edition.
Who has scored Morocco’s most goals in Africa Cup of Nations tournaments?
Ahmed Faras is Morocco’s top scorer at Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, netting six goals between 1972 and 1978.
