Morocco Facing the Host’s Challenge. The Downside About Being Both the Hosts and the Best National Side on the Continent Is That Morocco’s Power and Prowess Will Not Be a Surprise to Anyone at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

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Each match across the tournament will require patience and concentration from the Moroccan players against a range of opponents who are likely to dig in and look to catch the defense cold at some point in the game.

That was the approach from Comoros in the AFCON 2025 opener against Morocco and it’s sure to be a blueprint followed by Mali in Friday’s Match Day 2 clash in Rabat that is live on beIN SPORTS.

Morocco knows that a second Group A victory should be enough to top the standings and allow some rotation in the third match before the rigors of the knockout stages. The Atlas Lions look set to be without captain, Romain Saïss, for the rest of the tournament after the midfielder picked up a hamstring injury against Comoros.
 

Friday’s opponents, Mali, will still be kicking themselves for throwing away a victory against Zambia by allowing an injury time equalizer. This would have given Mali some breathing room against the hosts. Instead, Mali might well need a draw in the impressive Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, something the side is capable of off after an 11-match unbeaten run in AFCON group games.

Friday December 26th
2:50PM ET / 11:50AM PT
Morocco vs. Mali live on beIN SPORTS

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