Morocco national team AFCON history explained for beginners

Morocco National Team AFCON History Explained for Beginners

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is one of the most prestigious tournaments in African football, and Morocco has a rich history in the competition. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Moroccan national team at AFCON and explore their journey to becoming one of the top teams on the continent.

Early Years (1957-1978)

Morocco first participated in the AFCON in 1957, and it was a challenging start for the team. They finished last in their group, failing to win a single match. However, the team showed improvement in the following years, and by the 1970s, they had established themselves as a competitive force in African football.

• 1957: Morocco‘s first AFCON appearance, finishing last in their group.

• 1963: Morocco reached the quarterfinals, losing to Ghana.
• 1965: The team finished third in their group, failing to advance to the knockout stage.
• 1972: Morocco reached the semifinals, losing to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

• 1978: The team finished third in the tournament, losing to Ghana in the semifinals.

Morocco’s Golden Generation (1980-1992)

The 1980s saw the emergence of Morocco’s golden generation, which included players like Mustapha El Haddaoui, Abderrahim Hattab, and Abdellah Benachir. This team dominated African football, winning the AFCON in 1976 and finishing as runners-up in 1980 and 1986.

• 1980: Morocco reached the final, losing to Nigeria.
• 1986: The team finished as runners-up, losing to Egypt.
• 1988: Morocco won the AFCON, defeating Nigeria in the final.
• 1992: The team finished third in the tournament, losing to Ghana in the semifinals.

Modern Era (2000-Present)

In the 2000s, Morocco experienced a resurgence in their AFCON performances. They finished as runners-up in 2004 and 2019 and won the tournament in 2018. The team has been led by talented players like Hakim Ziyech, Karim El Ahmadi, and Mehdi Benatia.

• 2004: Morocco finished as runners-up, losing to Tunisia.
• 2018: The team won the AFCON, defeating Egypt in the final.
• 2019: Morocco finished as runners-up, losing to Algeria.

Today, the Moroccan national team is one of the top teams in African football, with a rich history and a bright future ahead.