Morocco Keen to End AFCON Curse After 47 Years Without Winning Tournament

• Walid Regragui wants to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations for Morocco
• The Atlas Lions have failed to win the tournament in 47 years
• Morocco are placed in Group F along with DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania

Morocco coach Walid Regragui says he wants his squad to erase "the curse of the African Cup" as the Atlas Lions prepare to compete against 23 other countries for Africa's most prominent football tournament.

The North Africans have not won the continental competition in 47 years, but they have been tagged as one of the favourites for the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast due to their exploits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Since winning the cup in 1976, the Atlas Lions have only made it to the final once, in 2004, when host Tunisia defeated them, and Regragui says now is the time to end the curse, Sportstar reports.

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“What is important is the state of mind. We must go there with complete confidence to overcome the curse of the African Cup.”

Morocco will face DR Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia in the group stages when the tournament gets underway on January 13.

PSG concerned about Hakimi’s absence

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain is concerned about Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi's impending absence from the Ligue 1 champions squad due to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco World News reports.

The 27-year-old defender is set to miss at least four weeks of action for PSG after joining the Atlas Lions camp as they prepare for the tournament scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11.

Hakimi is a key player for Morocco, having played in major football tournaments such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and his presence will determine how far the Atlas Lions progress in AFCON 2023.

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Hakimi speaks on Morocco’s chances

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Achraf Hakimi has vowed to give his all for the Moroccan national team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after joining up with the rest of his teammates at their training camp.

The Atlas Lions will hope to go a step better than their 2022 FIFA World Cup milestone when they became the first African team to reach the semifinals of football’s biggest international competition.

Hakimi, who plays for French giant Paris Saint-Germain, expressed his optimism and confidence in honouring Moroccan football by fighting for the title.