Regragui coach (left) consoles Saiss, captain of the Moroccan national team (French)

The Moroccan national team was subjected to an African setback and a new exit, in stark contrast to its impressive run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup about 14 months ago and entered the finals of the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast as one of the strongest candidates for the title.

Before the tournament, he had suffered one loss in 12 matches and had invested heavily in his preparations, including arriving a week before kick-off in Ivory Coast to adapt to the extreme heat and stifling humidity.

But his hopes ended - yesterday, Tuesday - with his exit from the final round, maintaining his poor record in the Nations Cup, which he won only once, about 48 years ago.

The Moroccan national team lost 2-0 to South Africa in one of the other surprising results that characterized the tournament.

South Africa surprises Morocco and advances to the quarter-finals

⏯️ Watch the match summary 👇 #Africa_Cup of Nations | #Morocco_South_Africa #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/onGUBWFtoc

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The only African title for Morocco

Morocco was participating in the Nations Cup finals for the 19th time, but its victory in 1976 remains its only victory in the tournament, in contrast to its participation in the World Cup finals 6 times since 1970, when African representation was limited.

Over the past decade, Morocco has entered the Africa Cup of Nations with a wealth of experience with several key players at major European clubs as well as resources that almost all African countries can only dream of.

Mohamed Aboutrika: A harsh lesson for the Moroccan national team #Africa_Cup of Nations | #Morocco_South_Africa #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/OcQHq0uZaH

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But the Cup of Nations is still a puzzle for Morocco, as coach Walid Regragui said.

“For us, the Cup of Nations is still a complex tournament,” Regragui said. “This is not the first time that Morocco has arrived as the favorite and potential winner.”

He added, "Before almost every participation, we are among the countries nominated to win the title. But unfortunately, we were not able to regularly be among the last 4 teams in this tournament. Our last final was in 2004."

Youssef Shibu: Football has no emotion or courtesies. #Africa_Cup of Nations | #Morocco_South_Africa #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/j7IDFLw4gW

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Morocco has a poor record in the knockout stage. It did not go beyond the quarter-finals in its last 8 appearances in the African Cup of Nations, and out of the 15 knockout matches the team played in the tournament, it won only four matches.

Captain Romain Saiss said that the players feel very sad for themselves and the Moroccan fans who expected a lot from them.

He added, "The Nations Cup is a bit crazy. We should have performed better. You have to be able to decide matches, especially when you have the opportunity. We will have to raise our heads and stop making these kind of mistakes."

Hakimi misses the chance to equalize for Morocco from a penalty kick #Africa_Cup of Nations | #Morocco_South_Africa #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/IItRMc7Jvt

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Source: Reuters