As Morocco’s final group-stage match at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is today, all eyes are on the Atlas Lions, currently topping Group A with 4 points, and their possible next opponent in the Round of 16.
With many disappointed by the national team’s performance under Walid Regragui in the group stage, fans are weighing the three possible scenarios if they finish first, second, or third in the group.
If Morocco finish top of Group A:
If the Atlas Lions finish top of Group A, they will face the third-placed team from Group C, D, or E, and will continue playing the knockout rounds at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Regragui said, during a pre-match press conference, that he hopes to stay.
In Group C, Nigeria leads so far with 6 points, Tunisia is second with 3, and Tanzania and Uganda both have 1 point each, making either team a potential Round of 16 opponent for Morocco.
If there is no third-placed team from Group C, Morocco’s opponent would be from Group D.
In Group D, the possible third-placed opponent for Morocco could be Benin, who have 3 points so far and previously eliminated Morocco in the Round of 16 at AFCON 2019 in Egypt, as Senegal leads now the group with 4 points and DR Congo is second with 4 points.
If there is no third-placed team from Group D, Morocco’s opponent would be from Group E.
In Group E, the possible third-placed opponent for Morocco could be Sudan, who have 3 points so far, as Algeria leads the group with 6 points and Burkina Faso is second with 3 points.
The second scenario:
If Morocco finish second in Group A, they will face the runners-up of Group C, so far Tunisia, and play at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, which the national head coach said he wants to avoid traveling to before the Round of 16.
The third scenario:
If the Atlas Lions finish third in Group A after their clash with Zambia, they will face the top team from Group B and play the Round of 16 at Adrar Stadium in Agadir.
In Group B, Egypt currently leads with 6 points after two wins, South Africa, who eliminated Morocco at AFCON 2024 in the Round of 16, is second with 3 points, while Angola and Zimbabwe both have 1 point each.
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