Morocco and Ghana kick off Group C of Afcon 2021 on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Yaounde’s Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo (EA time).
The Atlas Lions boast an impressive squad comprised of elite players who currently play for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and they will be hoping to reach their first final since 2004, as well as win the competition for the first time in only their second season.
Ghana, on the other hand, will be looking to recapture the glory days of the twentieth century, when they won the Afcon four times and reached the final twice since the turn of the millennium (2010 and 2015).
TIP: Morocco to Win
Tip Reasoning
- Morocco have not lost a competitive game within 90 minutes since a 1-0 vs Portugal in 2018.
- Morocco recently held AFCON holders Algeria to a 1-1 draw in the FIFA Arab Cup.
- Ghana lost 3-0 to that same Algeria team just a couple of weeks later.
- Ghana failed to win seven of the 11 all-time H2Hs between these nations.
Back the Atlas Lions to roar all the way
Even without the magical Hakim Ziyech, Morocco appear to be a top-class side heading into this AFCON tournament, with the likes of Sevilla’s En Nesyri and El Haddadi, PSG’s Hakimi, and QPR’s Chair all set to feature.
While they have not won the tournament since 1976 and are not among the outright betting favorites, it would be a mistake to underestimate this Morocco team, which has conceded just twice within 90 minutes in their last 13 matches (W12, D1).
The Black Stars are not that good
There are a few familiar faces in this Ghana squad, including Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Leicester’s Daniel Amartey, and Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew. There is far more talent than those illustrious Premier League stars, but they will need those guys to perform at their best if they are to progress.
Ghana has finished in the top four in six of the last seven AFCON tournaments, with the exception of a round of 16 exit to Tunisia on penalties in the most recent edition. Additionally, Ghana won just one of their three group games en route to qualifying.
In general, we believe Morocco just barely edge this clash at a fantastic price, given their consistency in team selection and stellar form over the last few years. We anticipate the Atlas Lions to win this one narrowly in order to establish their presence in this competition.
Predicted Lineups
Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Tissoudali; Amrabat, Fajr, Barkok; Munir, Boufal, En-Nesyri
Ghana XI: Atta; Djiku, Armatey, Rahman, Mensah; Partey, Wakaso; Paintsil, Suleymana, Kudus; J Ayew
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