Highlights: Morocco and the DRC face each other on Sunday January 21 as part of the second day of Group F. With a second victory, the Atlas Lions would secure a place in the round of 16. Cited among the favorites, Morocco successfully entered CAN 2024 by destroying Tanzania, 3-0. In total, the Lions and Leopards have met sixteen times. Morocco has won five times, DR Congo has obtained three victories. Eight duels ended in a draw. The last two confrontations between the two teams date back to 2022.

Morocco and the DRC face each other on Sunday January 21 as part of the second day of Group F. With a second victory, the Atlas Lions would secure a place in the round of 16.

CAN 2024: Morocco wants to win against the DRC to secure the round of 16

Morocco and the DRC face each other on Sunday January 21 as part of the second day of Group F. With a second victory, the Atlas Lions would secure a place in the round of 16.

Cited among the favorites, Morocco successfully entered CAN 2024 by destroying Tanzania, 3-0.

AP - Themba Hadebe

By: Farid Achache Follow

From our special correspondent in San Pedro,

In the press room of the San Pedro stadium, around a hundred Moroccan journalists face coach Walid Regragui.

Since the semi-final in Qatar, the Atlas Lions have been closely followed.

A first “real test”

This CAN in Ivory Coast is now the objective of

Morocco

, and no one among the followers of the Atlas Lions would accept a bad result in the land of the Elephants.

“

Since the last World Cup, we have had a certain pressure, and that is the other side of the coin.
We accept it

,” says Walid Regragui.

After the first match won 3-0 against Tanzania, coach Walid Regragui speaks of a first “

real test

”.

“

We expect a tactical and physical encounter.
The main thing is to confirm our first match

,” says Regragui.

In the humid heat of San Pedro, with a match starting at 2:00 p.m. local time, a victory would propel Morocco into the round of 16 and the Moroccan coach would feel more comfortable preparing for the rest of the competition.

Except that the coach of the “Cherifian Kingdom” does not want to underestimate his second opponent.

The last two confrontations between the two teams date back to 2022. After a draw (1-1) at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, the Atlas Lions dominated the return match in Casablanca by winning (4-1). ).

“

The

DRC
has a new coach and has changed its group.
It's no longer the same opponent, the past is the past.
It’s a team that is not easy and does not lack ambition

,” assures Walid Regragui.

Read alsoCAN 2024: The complete calendar and all the results

Don't get eaten by Leopards

In total, the Lions and Leopards have met sixteen times.

Morocco has won five times, DR Congo has obtained three victories.

Eight duels ended in a draw.

In the final phase of the CAN, Morocco often struggled against the Leopards, with only one victory, three draws and one defeat.

“

We don’t want to be eaten by the Leopards

,” says Regragui to a laughing audience.

He adds: “

There is no fear, but respect.
We must not believe that Morocco will win easily

In the meantime, Walid Regragui can count on his group.

“

Attiat-Allah is operational.
Boufal had a bit of the flu, but has been fine since then.
We had to avoid bringing him in so that he would be at his best.
We get almost everyone back.
We have confidence in our medical staff.
It was they who facilitated the return of Saïss and Ziyech

,” argues the boss of the Atlas Lions.

The first official meeting between Morocco and the DRC, called Zaire at the time, dates back to 1972, during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

CAN 2024: Morocco wants to win against the DRC to secure the round of 16

CAN 2024: Morocco wants to win against the DRC to secure the round of 16

A first “real test”

Don't get eaten by Leopards

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