Morocco seeks World Cup form

RABAT (Reuters) -- Morocco have qualified for four World Cups but when it comes to the African Nations Cup the northern powerhouse have been sadly lacking.

Morocco, who are consistently one of the strongest teams on the continent, have won the African title only once and have not featured in the semifinals since 1988 when they were hosts.

Their victory came in 1976, the only time the final tournament was played on a league basis, and over the last decade they have only reached the quarter-finals twice.

It has become something of a burden for the country and after their failure to reach this year's World Cup finals, they are keener than ever to do well.

They missed out on Japan and South Korea on goal difference, pipped by surprise package Senegal and the tournament in Mali is being seen as an opportunity for compensation.

That determination is exemplified by the decision of coach Humberto Coelho to turn down a chance to lead Saudi Arabia at the World Cup in favour of taking the Moroccans to Mali.

Coelho, formerly Portugal's coach, has selected a squad which marks the changing of the guard in the national team, with a host of new faces to replace long-standing internationals such as Mustapha Hadji, Abdelkrim El Hadrioui and Abdelilah Saber.

Hadji, the former African Footballer of the Year who plays at English club Aston Villa, criticised the atmosphere in the camp after being left out of the squad.

He was sidelined in the wake of a controversial decision last May to favour club over country when needed by his previous team Coventry City in a vital English premier league relegation game.

The new generation of players is led by the PSV Eindhoven midfielder Adil Ramzi, who is already an established part of the side; Nouredine Boukhari of Sparta Rotterdam and defender Abdeslam Ouaddou from Fulham.

Morocco are also hoping that striker Salaheddine Bassir revives his form after more than a year in the doldrums.

Bassir, from French club Lille, was a persistent scorer for his country but has battled to find the back of the net over the last year.

The side is captained by Nourredine Naybet, the 31-year-old defender from Spain's Deportivo Coruna. Morocco open their campaign with a difficult group B game against Ghana, which will given an early indication of their championship-winning credentials. Burkina Faso and South Africa are the other two teams in a tough group.

 

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