AFCON 2023: Morocco Midfielder Slams Egypt’s Style of Football as North African Rivalry Heats Up

• Morocco midfielder, Azzedine Ounahi has criticised Egypt's tactics ahead of AFCON
• The two nations share a fierce rivalry, having met in the quarters of the 2021 edition
• Egypt are the more successful side in the continental competition that kicks off in days

Morocco are one of the overwhelming favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which starts this weekend.

Their midfielder, Azzedine Ounahi, has called out Egypt, blasting their style of play and angering fans of the seven-time AFCON champions.

Morocco aren't Egypt's biggest rival, but these two teams have a long history. They've faced off in some heated clashes over the years. A case in point is the quarter-final of the 2021 AFCON, which Egypt won, per the Athletic.

Nothing could separate them in that match until Mohamed Salah rose to the occasion. The Liverpool star scored and assisted to give the Pharaohs a narrow 2-1 win. There were 48 fouls in a match marked by sheer fierce passion.

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Morocco have plenty to prove at the AFCON because they haven't won that trophy since 1976. Their run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals earned them a reputation as Africa's best team.

Therefore, expectations will be sky-high. Ounahi and the company cannot afford to slip early in the competition.

Morocco's Ounahi calls out Egypt

Olympique Marseille midfielder, Ounahi was one of the standout performers in Qatar and remains a key player for the Atlas Lions. The midfielder is not impressed by Egypt's tactics.

"Egypt, who have won seven CAF Africa Cup of Nations titles, don’t play a great game, but they’re a team that manages," Ounahi told La Provence, via KingFut.

"You can dominate, but they can score the 1-0 goal from a set-piece and then one player falls to the right, another to the left…"

These remarks will surely rub Egyptians the wrong way, and if they meet at some point in the competition, it has the potential to become a classic.

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Saiss outlines Morocco's AFCON ambition

Sports Brief previously reported on Romain Saiss outlining Morocco's 2023 AFCON goals.

The Al-Shabab defender says the minimum goal for the Atlas Lions will be making the final.

He stated Morocco's national team would pursue the last stage of the AFCON in February.