By Victor Kanayo
Aside host country, Cote d’ivoire, Africa’s number one national team, Morocco, have become first to book a place in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
Morocco during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar emerged first African nation to reach the semi-final of the global soccer competition.
They achieved the latest continental feat after fellow group rivals in the ongoing AFCON qualifying series South Africa and Liberia played out a 2-2 draw.
The Atlas Lions as the Moroccan side are also known, are group K with both countries.
Zimbabwe, which was initially drawn in same same group, was disqualified by FIFA from playing the qualifiers due to the Zimbabwean government’s interference in the affairs of the country’s football league.
The suspension of the southern African nation means Morocco is mathematically qualified for the next AFCON, with the 2 wins from Zimbabwe’s forfeit giving the Atlas Lions a total of 12 points.
Morocco are currently the 11th best team in the world, according to the latest FIFA rankings.
They are ahead of Senegal and Tunisia as well as others in Africa.
Ahead of the upcoming AFCON in less than one year time, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is of the believe that it is their turn to rule the continent.
