Morocco under huge pressure as Afcon hosts

Cameroon pose stiff test in quarter-finals

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Morocco coach Walid Regragui speaks with team captain Achraf Hakimi during the round of 16 match against Tanzania.

(AFP)

Morocco are on a mission to win the Africa Cup of Nations in front of their own fans but the hosts must avoid buckling under the enormous weight of pressure as they face Cameroon in the quarterfinals today.

The tournament for Walid Regragui’s side will be seen asa failure unless they go all the way to the final on Jan 18 and lift the trophy, and the question is how they cope with that level of expectation in the coming days.

Moroccan supporters demand the best from Africa's top-ranked nation but are not convinced by what they have seen so far at this Cup of Nations.

The Atlas Lions beat minnows Comoros 2-0 in the opening match on Dec 21 before a 1-1 draw with Mali was greeted with jeers from the crowd.

“It is not normal for them to boo us. We want to have the supporters behind us,’ said captain Achraf Hakimi in a rallying cry before the final group game against Zambia.

“Tf the fans are behind us we can be champions of Africa together”