San Pedro, Cote d’Ivoire | By Michael Wandati | Morocco, the pre-tournament favorites, initiated their 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey with a commanding victory over 10-man Tanzania in Group F.
The Atlas Lions seized the lead in the 30th minute when Romain Saiss capitalized on Hakim Ziyech’s swerving free-kick, which was parried back into danger. Taifa Stars of Tanzania faced a setback when Novatus Miroshi was sent off with 20 minutes remaining, and Azzedine Ounahi extended the lead with a slick finish.
Youssef En-Nesyri sealed the triumph by converting Achraf Hakimi’s cross. Morocco, having clinched their solitary continental title in 1976, are considered strong contenders for the trophy in Ivory Coast, especially after their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup.
Their success in Qatar showcased a counter-attacking style against formidable opponents like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. Now, as Africa’s top-ranked side, Walid Regregui’s team is adapting to a more proactive approach against lower-ranked adversaries.
In the opening match at San Pedro, the Atlas Lions effectively played on the front foot, with goalkeeper Bono having a relatively quiet game. Ziyech’s free-kick set the stage for captain Saiss to open the scoring. The former Chelsea winger tested the goalkeeper again with a curling effort before halftime.
Tanzania, still seeking their first victory in their third appearance at the Afcon finals, struggled to find their rhythm. Their challenge became even more daunting when Miroshi received a red card. His second caution, a late sliding challenge on Morocco’s midfielder, led to his dismissal.
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Ounahi, displaying liveliness throughout the match, sealed the victory with a controlled finish into the bottom left-hand corner, ensuring Morocco avoided a potential upset in a tournament that has already witnessed several surprises in the opening round of games.
Group F’s other Wednesday evening encounter features former winners DR Congo and Zambia. All four teams will be back in action on Sunday.
Group stage
Saturday, January 13
Group A: Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Sunday, January 14
Group A: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 14:00)
Group B: Egypt vs Mozambique (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 17:00)
Group B: Ghana vs Cape Verde (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Monday, January 15
Group C: Senegal vs The Gambia (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 14:00)
Group C: Cameroon vs Guinea (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 17:00)
Group D: Algeria vs Angola (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 20:00)
Tuesday, January 16
Group D: Burkina Faso vs Mauritania (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 14:00)
Group E: Tunisia vs Namibia (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, 17:00)
Group E: Mali vs South Africa (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, 20:00)
Wednesday, January 17
Group F: Morocco vs Tanzania (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 17:00)
Group F: DR Congo vs Zambia (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 20:00)
Thursday, January 18
Group A: Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 14:00)
Group A: Ivory Coast vs Nigeria (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 17:00)
Group B: Egypt vs Ghana (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Friday, January 19
Group B: Cape Verde vs Mozambique (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 14:00)
Group C: Senegal vs Cameroon (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 17:00)
Group C: Guinea vs The Gambia (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 20:00)
Saturday, January 20
Group D: Algeria vs Burkina Faso (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 14:00)
Group D: Mauritania vs Angola (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 17:00)
Group E: Tunisia vs Mali (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, 20:00)
Sunday, January 21
Group E: South Africa vs Namibia (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, 20:00)
Group F: Morocco vs DR Congo (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 14:00)
Group F: Zambia vs Tanzania (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 17:00)
Monday, January 22
Group A: Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 17:00)
Group A: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 17:00)
Group B: Cape Verde vs Egypt (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Group B: Mozambique vs Ghana (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Tuesday, January 23
Group C: The Gambia vs Cameroon (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 17:00)
Group C: Guinea vs Senegal (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 17:00)
Group D: Angola vs Burkina Faso (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 20:00)
Group D: Mauritania vs Algeria (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 20:00)
Wednesday, January 24
Group E: Namibia vs Mali (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 17:00)
Group E: South Africa vs Tunisia (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, 17:00)
Group F: Tanzania vs DR Congo (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, 20:00)
Group F: Zambia vs Morocco (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 20:00)
Round of 16
Saturday, January 27
Game 37: Winners of Group D vs third-best team across Group B/E/F (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 17:00)
Game 38: Runners-up of Group A vs runners-up of Group C (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Sunday, January 28
Game 39: Winners of Group A vs third-best team across Group C/D/E (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 17:00)
Game 40: Runners-up of Group B vs Group Runners-up of Group F (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 20:00)
Monday, January 29
Game 41: Winners of Group B vs third-best team across Group A/C/D (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 17:00)
Game 42: Winners of Group C vs third-best team across Group A/B/F (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 20:00)
Tuesday, January 30
Game 43: Winners of Group E vs runners-up of Group D (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, 17:00)
Game 44: Winners of Group F vs runners-up of Group E (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, 20:00)
Quarterfinals
Friday, February 2
Game 45: Winners of Game 38 vs Winners of Game 37 (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 17:00)
Game 46: Winners of Game 40 vs Winners of Game 39 (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Saturday, February 3
Game 47: Winners of Game 43 vs Winners of Game 42 (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 17:00)
Game 48: Winners of Game 41 vs Winners of Game 44 (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, 20:00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, February 7
Game 49: Winners of Game 45 vs Winners of Game 48 (Stade de la Paix, Bouake, 17:00)
Game 50: Winners of Game 47 vs Winners of Game 46 (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Third place playoff
Saturday, 10 February
Game 51: Game 49 vs Game 50 losers (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, 20:00)
Final
Sunday, 11 February
Game 52: (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)
