Host Cameroon has vowed to stop the impressive run of titleholders Morocco when the two sides clash at the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.
A win for the Indomitable Lions at the Limbe Stadium will see the home side make history by reaching the final for the first time since the inception of the tournament that was designed exclusively for home-based players in 2009.
But they face an arduous task against the Moroccans who are the highest scoring side in the competition with nine goals and some top players at their disposal who have excelled so far in the tournament.
The host struggled to advance from its group but it turned on the style in the quarter-finals with a comeback 2-1 victory over two-time winners DR Congo.
Cameroon coach Martin Mpile believes the Indomitable Lions has what it takes to win the match and prevent their more experienced opponents from winning the game.
“We are here to win and get to the finals by making life uncomfortable for our adversaries. We are serene. It’s up to us to go to the finals. It will be a good game and we are determined to go through”.
Mpile
The Indomitable Lions boss admitted that defeating the North Africans who are determined to retain the title will be an arduous task but not an impossible mission.
On the other hand, Morocco’s coach, Houcine Ammouta says he expects a ‘tough encounter’ against host Cameroon when the two sides clash on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.
“Both teams have gained the momentum it takes to get to this stage of the competition and I believe we need to focus on the technical-tactical performance.
“I know it will be a tough game because we are playing against the hosts who also have a good team. We have to produce beautiful football for the public and that’s all we have to do to be focused at the moment”.
Houcine Ammouta
The Atlas Lions are seeking to reach the final in their bid to retain their title while Cameroon will be chasing history by reaching the final of the tournament for the first time.
The Moroccans are highly fancied because they are the highest scoring side in the competition with nine goals and some top players at their disposal who have excelled so far in the tournament.
Mali Vs. Guinea
The other semi-final match will see Mali take on Guinea at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.
This is the second time Mali has reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Championship, thereafter losing 3-0 to Congo DR in the finals of the 2016 edition.
Mali has conceded only one goal in this African Nations Championship 2020, less than any other team in the tournament.
Guinea will appear in an African Nations Championship semi-final for the 2nd time after 2016 – when they lost to Congo DR in shootouts (1-1; 4-5 on penalties).
The winners of the two semi-finals will face off in Sunday’s final in Yaounde.
In a related development, a Former Angolan International and a member of the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG), Felisberto Sebastião da Graça Amaral has praised the abundant talent that has so far been showcased at the ongoing CHAN tournament in Cameroon.
“We witnessed very good football with teams expressing themselves well. In Group D, Guinea and Zambia showed high tactical awareness, and no wonder they got to the knock-out stage”.
