The second round of U-23 AFCON group games continues on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
After both teams won their respective opening matches in the competition, the Group A leader, Ghana’s Black Meteors, will play the second-placed team, Morocco.
Morocco is on the hunt to win the trophy after missing out in 2015 when Senegal hosted and in 2019 when Egypt was the host nation. Issame Charai’s side was a finalist in the competition’s inaugural edition in 2011, against Gabon.
The Black Meteors have competed in the competition once, but lost on a spot kick to their South African opponent in Egypt, denying them a qualification spot for the fourth time after missing out on the Beijing Olympics, London Olympics, Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and Tokyo Olympics.
Both teams have strikers who have scored twice in their first two games. Abde Ezzalzouli of Osasuna and Emmanuel Kwaku Yeboah of CFR Cluj in Romania each scored two goals to lead the 2023 U-23 AFCON top scorers chart.
Head coach Issame Charai addressed the media at a pre-match press conference in Rabat, emphasising the importance of Moroccan fans at the stadium in their game against group leaders Ghana.
“All Moroccans have a significant part to play. The fans must rally behind the players from the outset. In our first match against Guinea, the fans’ unwavering support propelled us forward, making a notable impact,” Charai explained.
The coach also shared his thoughts on the Black Meteors after watching them beat Congo 3-2 in their first group game, as well as his observations of the team.
Charai disclosed, “We analyzed Ghana’s match against Congo. They possess a formidable offensive threat and display remarkable speed. However, we also identified areas of vulnerability within their team.”
