Morocco’s Atlas Lions will face Malawi’s Flames in the Round of 16 of the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde at exactly 19:00 GMT today, Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
It will be a battle that will put two teams who will be fighting for their lives in the race to win the coveted continental trophy.
This will be the first meeting between Morocco and Malawi at the Africa Cup of Nations. Morocco has only lost one of its last 11 games when facing an opponent in the competition for the first time (W7 D3), a 2-3 lost against Gabon in 2012.
Morocco qualified on top of Group C on seven points. After two wins, 1-0 over Ghana and 2-0 over Comoros, whilst the Atlas Lions came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Gabon in the final Group Match. A late Achraf Hakimi’s goal made Morocco finish on top of the group.
This is the Atlas Lions’ 18th appearance in the competition and are still in search of their second title, almost 46 years after winning their lone title in 1976.
Since 2019, Morocco has kept a clean sheet in five of its seven games at the Africa Cup of Nations, conceding only three goals in total. Two of those goals did come in its most recent outing, the 2-2 draw against Gabon.
Vahid Halilhodzic, head Coach of Morocco, said at the pre-match interview that “the players are aware that they must have a combative attitude. The competition has shown here that there are no favorites. Everyone can move forward. We will enter this game with maximum concentration”.
Halilhodzic stated that fortunately, his players are ready to do their best because “we came here to win, and our hope is to qualify”.
Malawi – History written
In their third AFCON appearance, the Flames of Malawi have already written a history for themselves, going beyond the group stage for the very first time and are now eyeing one more step forward.
After falling 1-0 to Guinea, the Flames responded in style, beating COSAFA neighbors Zimbabwe 2-1 before holding giants, Senegal, to a goalless draw that ensured their place in the Round of 16 as one of the best four third-place teams.
The qualification to the round of 16 has raised the morale of the Malawi players to the highest levels, and facing Morocco, they have nothing to lose and everything to win against the 1976 champions.
Malawi will contest its first game in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, in what will be its 10th game in the competition overall. The Flames of Malawi have only won two of the previous nine (D2 L5), but are unbeaten in two games coming into this one (W1 D1).
Malawi had the lowest possession average of any team during the group stage of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (31.5%). Indeed, the Flames have recorded a sequence of 10+ passes from open play only twice so far, which is also a competition-low figure.
The Flames must try to neutralize the threat of Sofiane Boufal who is Morocco’s top scorer in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (two goals). However, Mario Marinica, Coach of the Flames of Malawi, believes his team will be equal to the task because he has good players.
“We have prepared for this game as we have done in previous games. We are organized and we will take the field with full determination. We continue to work together. Defensively, Malawi is a strong team with very good players. We will try to play the best way. We have faced all difficulties with hard work and confidence”.
Mario Marinica
Senegal vs Cape Verde
In the West African Derby, the Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde will lock horns at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam at 16:00 GM on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
This will be the first meeting between Senegal and Cape Verde at the Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal has won three of its last four games in the knockout stages of the competition, with the only defeat in this run coming in the 2019 final against Algeria.
Cape Verde on the other hand, has only played one game in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations previously, losing 0-2 to Ghana in the 2013 quarter-final.
So far, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, the Gambia, and Cameroon have secured their tickets to the quarter-finals of the competition.
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