Morocco national team AFCON history: A complete guide
The Atlas Lions have a rich history in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with a total of six appearances in the final and two tournament titles. In this article, we will delve into the history of Morocco’s national team in the AFCON.
Early years (1963-1976)
Morocco first participated in the AFCON in 1963, where they finished fourth. The team’s early years were marked by inconsistency, with several players failing to live up to expectations. However, the Atlas Lions showed glimpses of promise, particularly in their 1965 tournament, where they finished third.
- 1963: Fourth place
- 1965: Third place
- 1968: Group stage
- 1970: Group stage
- 1972: Group stage
- 1974: Group stage
- 1976
: Group stage
The golden years (1978-1988)
Morocco’s fortunes changed in the late 1970s, with the arrival of a new generation of players. The team’s first AFCON title came in 1976, where they defeated Guinea 1-1 (4-2 on penalties) in the final. This was followed by another title in 1988, where they defeated Nigeria 4-0 in the final.
- 1976: Champions
- 1978: Group stage
- 1980: Group stage
- 1982: Group stage
- 1984: Group stage
- 1986: Group stage
- 1988: Champions
Modern era (1990-2019)
Morocco’s AFCON history in the modern era has been marked by inconsistency. The team has failed to advance beyond the group stage on several occasions, but has also shown flashes of brilliance. In 2019, Morocco reached the final, where they were defeated by Algeria 1-0.
- 1990: Group stage
- 1992: Group stage
- 1994: Group stage
- 1996: Group stage
- 1998: Group stage
- 2000: Group stage
- 2002: Group stage
- 2004: Group stage
- 2006: Group stage
- 2008: Group stage
- 2010: Group stage
- 2012: Group stage
- 2013: Group stage
- 2015: Group stage
- 2017: Group stage
- 2019: Runners-up
Conclusion
Morocco’s AFCON history is a tale of promise and disappointment. The team has shown glimpses of brilliance, but has also struggled to live up to expectations. Despite this, the Atlas Lions remain a force to be reckoned with in African football.
