Ghana’s Absence and Reflections on Moroccan Football
Kwame opened the conversation by reflecting on Ghana’s surprising absence from this year’s African Cup.
“It’s a very sad story,” he admitted. “The last time we missed AFCON was in 2004. Since then, Ghana qualified consistently, reaching finals and semi-finals multiple times. But in these qualifiers, we didn’t win a single game in six matches, so we didn’t deserve to be at AFCON.”
Turning to Morocco, he praised the national team while acknowledging criticism from local fans and journalists.
“I feel coach Walid Regragui has faced scrutiny because of his past success,” Kwame said. “He took Morocco to the semi-finals of the World Cup, and expectations rose. Every fan wants Morocco to perform at that level, but competitions like AFCON are different. Morocco didn’t start this tournament at the level fans hoped, especially against Comoros and Mali, but they responded strongly with a 3-0 win against Zambia.”
Morocco vs. Tanzania: Expectation vs. Reality
Looking ahead to the second-round matchup against Tanzania, Kwame remained optimistic for Morocco.
“Tanzania only qualified with two points, without winning a single game,” he noted. “On paper, the quality the Moroccans possess compared to the Tanzanians is significantly higher. I don’t expect Morocco to struggle, but football is always funny. Still, Morocco should be good enough to qualify.”
He also highlighted the importance of stadium atmosphere.
“There will be over 60,000 fans screaming and shouting. That support makes a massive difference. Morocco has the quality and experience; Tanzania’s luck will likely end here.”
Spotlight on Ayoub El Kaabi
Kwame singled out Morocco’s striker Ayoub El Kaabi, who has scored in all three group-stage matches.
“Once he was introduced, he scored three goals in three matches. That builds a striker’s confidence. For me, three matches, three goals—it’s impressive, and he’s buzzing to maintain his starting position.”
Talal added context, noting El Kaabi’s recent bicycle goal drew comparisons to Mustapha Hadji, the 1998 African Ballon d’Or winner.
CAF Best 11 and Player Evaluations
The discussion then turned to CAF’s best 11 of the group stage. Kwame largely agreed with the selections, praising players like goalkeeper El Shenawy and midfielders Brahim Diaz, Lookman, and Mahrez. However, he questioned Mazraoui’s selection as right-back, noting,
“I saw him play as a left-back, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from DR Congo was outstanding at right-back. That confused me.”
He also suggested that Nigeria’s striker Osimhen, despite strong performances, was overlooked due to not scoring.
Predictions for Round of 16 Matches
Kwame provided analysis for several upcoming matches. He noted Mali’s struggle to score goals could hinder their chances against Tunisia, while Sudan might surprise Senegal due to the players’ motivation amid domestic challenges. Egypt, he said, is “fabulously prepared” against Benin, and defending champions Ivory Coast are expected to edge past Burkina Faso thanks to their depth and experience.
Algeria’s matchup with Congo drew particular interest. Kwame highlighted Congo’s consistency and emerging talent, especially Noah Sadiki, and warned that the encounter “could come down to minor details.” Meanwhile, Nigeria is expected to overpower Mozambique, and Cameroon faces a stern test against resilient South Africa.
Morocco’s Infrastructure and Long-Term Vision
Beyond the matches, Kwame praised Morocco’s football infrastructure.
“The stadiums, pitches, media zones—it blew me away. You are preparing perfectly for the 2030 World Cup. The high-speed train from Casablanca to Tangier is brilliant, and your airports and roads make travel seamless. Honestly, Morocco could have hosted the World Cup alone.”
He also lauded Morocco’s focus on youth development, citing the Mohammed VI Football Academy and the Maâmora Training Center as key contributors to the national team’s success.
“You have a strong local league, a great FA President in Mr. Lekjaa, and a clear plan. If you continue like this, Morocco will dominate African football for a long time,” he concluded.
A Candid Perspective on African Football
Kwame’s insights offered a wide-ranging view of AFCON 2025, highlighting both Morocco’s potential and broader trends across the continent. From rising stars like El Kaabi and Haj Moussa to emerging talents in Congo and Algeria, the discussion underscored the evolving landscape of African football and the role Morocco plays as a hub of excellence.
The full interview aired on the Le7TV YouTube channel and was conducted in English for its international audience, allowing fans across the globe to gain an expert perspective ahead of the tournament’s decisive knockout stages.
Amine Edmar/le7tv