Salah, Mane, Osimhen aim to deny Morocco

THE Africa Cup of Nations has reached the semifinal stage and a tournament devoid of shocks now offers up two mouthwatering ties with hosts Morocco looking to see off the challenges of their fellow continental heavyweights.

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Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, Victor Osimhen’s Nigeria and Sadio Mane’s Senegal all remain in contention to win the trophy in Rabat next Sunday, even if home advantage still makes Morocco favourites.

World Cup semifinalists in 2022, Morocco are Africa's top-ranked team and approach tomorrow's semifinal against Nigeria in the capital defending an unbeaten record since losing to South Africa at the last AFCON.

Walid Regragui’s side have conceded just one goal in five matches in the ongoing tournament and doubts about their ability to handle the enormous pressure of playing at home were blown away with their performance in beating Cameroon 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

Captain and current African player of the year Achraf Hakimi is fit again after injury, and in Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz — scorer of five goals in five games - they have probably the tournament's outstanding player.

“He can become the best player in the world if he wants to”, remarked Regragui after the Cameroon game.