AFCON 2025 Match Preview: Morocco Vs Tanzania
Hosts Morocco will face Tanzania in their Round of 16 clash at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
The Atlas Lions topped Group A after recording two wins and a draw in the group stage, while Tanzania progressed to the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams.
After an impressive group-stage showing that yielded seven points from three matches, Morocco will be keen to secure a quarter-final berth in front of their home supporters. The 1976 champions were eliminated at this stage of the previous tournament after a 2–0 defeat to South Africa, but circumstances are different this time.
Under Walid Regragui, Morocco will count on the backing of a vociferous home crowd and the confidence gained from recent success, including their FIFA Arab Cup triumph. The Atlas Lions will be determined to avoid a repeat of their last-16 exit and push deeper into the competition.
Morocco’s form heading into the clash is formidable. They have won seven of their last ten matches across all competitions, with the remaining three ending in draws, underlining their consistency and control. With sights set on a second AFCON title nearly five decades after their first, the hosts will look to clear their first knockout hurdle against Tanzania.
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For Tanzania, Sunday’s encounter represents their toughest challenge of the tournament so far. The Taifa Stars qualified for the Round of 16 as the lowest-ranked third-placed side and are making their first knockout appearance in 45 years.
While the occasion offers Tanzania a chance to make history, they face a daunting task against a technically superior Moroccan side backed by a partisan home crowd that could effectively serve as a 12th man.
The head-to-head record further favours Morocco, who have won seven of the previous meetings between the two nations. Tanzania’s only victory came back in 2013.
Morocco received a boost ahead of their final group match against Zambia with the return of Achraf Hakimi, who came off the bench in that game. While Noussair Mazraoui is expected to retain his place, Hakimi’s availability adds depth to Regragui’s options.
Captain Romain Saïss remains a doubt after suffering a muscle injury in Morocco’s opening match and has not featured since. Meanwhile, Ayoub El Kaabi has strengthened his case for a starting role after scoring three goals in three matches during the group stage.
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Tanzania head coach Hemed Suleiman is expected to name the same lineup that featured in their final group game against Tunisia. Captain Mbwana Samatta, still searching for his first goal of the tournament, is likely to lead the attack, supported by Simon Msuva, Faisal Salum, and Haji Mnoga.
Morocco:
Bono; Salah-Eddine, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, El Aynaoui; Saibari, El Kaabi, Diaz
Tanzania:
Masalanga; Hussein, Hamad, Nwamnyeto, Job; Miroshi, Msanga; Msuva, Salum, Mnoga; Samatta
Prediction
Morocco 2–0 Tanzania
Based on current form and overall quality, this appears to be a straightforward fixture for the hosts. Morocco are favourites to control proceedings and book their place in the quarter-finals, with a 2–0 victory the most likely outcome.
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