Morocco and Black Stars will this afternoon raise the curtain on Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2021.
The two teams will be seeking to get off the tournament on a flyer to enhance their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition.
The clash will be honoured at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé at 4:00pm.
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Atlas Lions of Morocco's high-profile players, such as Achraf Hakimi and Sofiane Boufal, are among the favorites to counter their opponents. But Ghana, led by Thomas Partey and André Ayew, can easily complicate the Moroccans' plans and even go on a promising streak.
This match will reveal something about the real ambitions of the two teams in this AFCON 2021. Atlas Lions emerge as a favorite, but attention to Ghana Black Stars, which are able to present themselves at an equally high level.
Match Facts
● Morocco and Ghana have met three times previously at the Africa Cup of Nations, all in the group phase – their head-to-head record is perfectly balanced with one win each and one draw. Meanwhile, these three games have only produced three goals.
● This is Morocco’s 18th participation in the Africa Cup of Nations – their only title dates back to 1976 and the only time they’ve reached the final since then was in 2004, losing 2-1 against hosts Tunisia. 2004 was also the last time they made it past the quarter-finals.
● Morocco conceded only one goal in six games during qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the
lowest tally of the 24 teams at this year’s tournament.
● This is Ghana’s 23rd appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, the most after Egypt (25) and Cote d'Ivoire (24). The Black Stars won the Africa Cup of Nations in four of their first seven appearances (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982) but have won none of their subsequent 15. They have nevertheless reached the semi-finals in six of the last seven editions, more than any other team over that period.
● Ghana’s match against Morocco will be their 100th in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars join Egypt as the only teams to reach that landmark.
● Since 2008, Ghana’s André Ayew has played more minutes (2,474) than any other player in the Africa Cup of Nations. He is Ghana’s leading scorer in the tournament (9 goals), having found the net in each of his last five AFCON participations.