Crunch time for Morocco

Hosts Morocco have had four games to find their stride at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but so far have delivered only one performance of conviction.

- By Mark Gleeson

Moroccan international Brahim Diaz. Photo: BackpagePix

(BackpagePix)

They were a bundle of nerves in the opening game against Comoros last month and then lost their longstanding run of successive wins when Mali held them to a draw in their second group game.

The 3-0 thumping of Zambia that followed in the last of their group matches did offer a display of their potential, but again last weekend they turned in another nervy showing as they edged Tanzania 1-0 in the round of 16.

Now comes the moment of truth for the Cup of Nations hosts who are up against Cameroon, conquerors of Bafana Bafana, in Friday’s quarterfinal in Rabat.

Cameroon held on grimly to edge South Africa 2-1 in the last-16 but it was a gritty performance from a determined-looking side whose physical prowess and fierce determination saw them deservedly over the line.