Three points will be at stake as Morocco and Tanzania clash at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023). Which of these teams will come out on top at the end of this match?
Morocco vs Tanzania overview
This Group F match takes place at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Wednesday January 17. Kick-off time is 6 pm WAT.
Morocco
Morocco have had their fair share of success at this competition. They were champions in 1976, and runners-up in 2004.
The Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup just over a year ago. For this reason, they are one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Tanzania
On the other hand, Tanzania will hope to do better than their previous outing, where they lost three of three group games in 2019. This will be their third appearance in Africa's biggest football tournament, and their second since 1980.
Morocco vs Tanzania head to head
Morocco and Tanzania first met in 2010, in the qualifying rounds of AFCON 2012. The Atlas Lions won both legs of that tie, scoring four times.
As it stands, these teams have squared off against each other on five occasions, and Morocco leads the head-to-head with four wins.
Interestingly, these teams were also paired in the same group in the qualifying rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They clashed just two months ago, with Morocco winning by two unreplied goals.
Morocco vs Tanzania potential lineups
Walid Regragui is expected to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Sevilla's Youssef En-Nesyri being the lone striker. Former Sevilla shot-stopper Bono, who currently plies his trade with Al Hilal in the Saudi Professional League, is expected to start in goal.
On the other hand, Adel Amrouche fancies a 4-3-3 formation with Simon Msuva, Mbwana Ally Samatta and Denis Kibu leading the charge. Simba FC's Aishi Manula should be behind the sticks.
On that note, these are our probable Morocco vs Tanzania lineups:
Morocco
Goalkeeper: Bono.
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain
Saïss, Noussair Mazraoui.
Midfielders: Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat,
Hakim Ziyech, Amine Harit, Sofiane Boufal.
Forwards: Youssef En-Nesyri.
Tanzania
Goalkeeper: Aishi Manula.
Defenders: Ibrahim Hamad, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Bakari
Nondo, Haji Mnoga.
Midfielders: Sospeter Bajana, Dickson Job, Faisal
Salum.
Forwards: Simon Msuva, Mbwana Ally Samatta, Denis
Kibu.
Morocco vs Tanzania tactical analysis
Morocco are the bookies' favourites, and we can't argue with that. Not only do they have more experience than Tanzania in this tournament, the Atlas Lions have also been in sensational form, winning three matches in a row.
Walid Regragui's troops have no losses in their last five matches, they also scored eight times in their last three games.
In contrast, Tanzania are coming off back-to-back 2-0 losses, and interestingly, one of those losses came at the hands of Morocco.
Given that the Atlas Lions defeated Tanzania on the road just less than two months ago, they've earned their ‘favourites' tag.
Morocco vs Tanzania prediction
‘Morocco to win' may be the obvious pick here, but the odds may not be worth betting on. We believe the ‘BTTS – no' option offers more value.
For one, Tanzania scored just once in their last four matches whilst keeping two clean sheets in that stretch. At least one team blanked in all of their last seven games.
Additionally, Morocco kept five clean sheets in their last eight matches, so we shouldn't expect goals at both ends.
Where to watch Morocco vs Tanzania live
Fans who live in Morocco can catch all the action live on Arryadia, beIN Sports 1 AFCON and beIN Sports Max.
On the other hand, this match will be broadcast on Azam Sports 3 HD, AfroSport TV, StarTimes and Supersport for fans who live in Tanzania.
