Morocco take on Egypt in Yaounde on Sunday with a place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals at stake.
The Atlas Lions have gathered reasonable momentum in their bid to end an AFCON title wait that has now lasted over 45 years, but now face a Pharaohs side backed by the confidence of seven continental crowns over their history.
A 2-1 win over Malawi forced Vahid Halilhodzic’s side to come from behind against one of the competition’s many plucky minnows. While some may have felt their performance underwhelming, the sheer unpredictability of this year’s AFCON delivers some perspective.
Once again, Morocco are waiting on the fitness of Ilias Chair with the midfielder unable to play any part in the last-16 victory while recovering from an injury picked up in the group stage.
The first-choice backline of Sevilla’s Bono, Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, Wolves’ Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd of Rennes and Watford’s Adam Masina is arguably the most talented in the tournament.
Imran Louza and Selim Amallah’s places in the midfield may be up for grabs with Tottenham target Sofyan Amrabat expected to run the hard yards in midfield, behind Youssef En-Nesyri up front as part of a 4-4-2.
Predicted Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Masina; Louza, Chair, Amrabat, Boufal; En-Nesyri, El Kaabi.
