Key Highlights
- Now they return Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat to take on a nation that has reached three of the past four AFCON finals. That's not a return that the Atlas Lions can match in recent history.
- Their wait for glory stretches back much further. Here, we break down Morocco's overall record at the Africa Cup of Nations. MORE:AFCON Golden BootHave Morocco ever won AFCON?Morocco won their only Africa Cup of Nations title to date 50 years ago at the 1976 tournament. If they beat Senegal in Rabat, it would be the first time Morocco have won an AFCON final, given the 1976 edition in Ethiopia did not feature a showpiece match. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe eight-team competition featured two groups of four, with the top two from each proceeding to a final group.
- A pair of 2-1 wins over Egypt and Nigeria put Morocco in prime position, needing only a draw in their final match against Guinea, who themselves would have been crowned champions with a victory. Cherif Souleymane's first-half goal put Guinea within touching distance of glory, but a stunning strike from Morocco midfielder Ahmed Makrouh four minutes from time sealed the dealMorocco's all-time record at the Africa Cup of NationsIn the 12 years after their 1976 success, Morocco were beaten semifinalists three times in 1980, 1986 and 1988. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Atlas Lions' only other appearance in the final came in 2004, when they lost 2-1 to North African rivals Tunisia. Morocco were due to host the AFCON in 2015.
- In October 2014, the Moroccan government requested a postponement due to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. When Morocco failed to meet a November 8 deadline set by CAF to confirm whether or not they would stage the tournament, they were stripped of the hosting rights.
- Morocco had been due to qualify as hosts but were then disqualified for the relocated competition in Equatorial Guinea. Morocco's all-time AFCON recordTitles won1Tournaments played20/35Games Played74Games won29Games drawn25Games lost20Goals scored87Goals conceded66.