The Moroccan national football team, fielding a reserve squad, begins its campaign in the Arab Cup being held in Qatar when it faces Comoros in an all-African encounter tomorrow, Tuesday, at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan. The Atlas Lions enter the tournament as one of the favorites to win the title, bolstered by a rising footballing reputation that has placed them among the world's elite.
This participation comes within a rich historical context for Moroccan football, which has witnessed a qualitative leap in recent years. The national team's historic achievement of reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup continues to resonate in global football circles, and successes at the youth level, such as the U-20 team's victory in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, underscore the depth of talent and the sustainability of the football project in the Kingdom. Although the team participating in the Arab Cup is the reserve team, expectations and ambitions remain high, as this tournament is seen as an ideal platform to test players and give them an opportunity to prove their worth.
For his part, coach Tarik Sektioui emphasized his players' complete readiness and strong determination, stating, "Our first objective is to advance from the group stage; after that, we will proceed step by step towards achieving our ultimate goal." To achieve this, Sektioui assembled a squad that blends experience and youth, spearheaded by seasoned strikers like Abderrazak Hamdallah and Walid Azaro, who possess extensive experience in Arab and African football. Despite Achraf Bencharki's absence from the first two matches due to injury, the team remains capable of delivering a strong performance. The tournament gains added significance as it presents an opportunity for several players to secure a place in the national team, led by coach Walid Regragui, especially before the announcement of the final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Morocco.
In contrast, the Comoros national team enters the tournament with high morale and a recently impressive history. The "Coelacanths" are participating in the Arab Cup finals for the first time in their history, after a thrilling qualification against Yemen in a penalty shootout. This team has proven itself to be a rising force in Africa, having captured attention at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations by reaching the knockout stages in their debut appearance, delivering a heroic performance. The team is led by Malagasy coach Hamada Djembey, who has adopted a clear attacking philosophy, stating: "My philosophy is to play with the ball. I want my team to develop their style of play… You either win or you lose, but you have to play.".
The match represents a clash of contrasting ambitions; Morocco seeks to reaffirm its regional dominance and add another title to its trophy cabinet, while Comoros hopes to continue making history and pull off an upset worthy of its reputation as a tenacious and formidable team. Undoubtedly, the tournament as a whole will witness fierce competition, given the presence of strong teams such as Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia, in addition to Asian powers like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, promising exciting and well-attended matches on Qatari soil.
