In the second group game of the ongoing 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the national under-23 football team of Ghana, known as the Black Meteors, will face off against Morocco.
The match will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT.
In their opening game on Sunday, the Black Meteors secured a 3-2 victory over Congo, while Morocco bounced back with a 2-1 win.
Ghana is aiming to secure a spot for the Olympic Games in Paris and must win to keep their chances alive.
The last time Ghana participated in the Olympics was in 2004 in Athens.
With their win in the previous match, Ghana currently sits at the top of Group A and will strive to maintain their perfect start.
What are the coaches saying?
Ghana’s coach, Ibrahim Tanko, has urged his players to maintain unwavering concentration and focus as they approach the game.
Tanko emphasized the challenges of facing a host team and acknowledged the need for heightened focus and concentration in such encounters.
“These are the matches we live for. We will rise to the occasion. The home crowd will be against us, the atmosphere will be electric, and it provides an opportunity for us to assess our players’ reactions in such situations,” remarked Coach Tanko.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s coach, Issame Charai, is optimistic that the support from home spectators will inspire his team as they prepare to take on Ghana.
Charai emphasized the crucial role Moroccan supporters will play in motivating the team.
“All Moroccans have a significant part to play. The fans must rally behind the players from the outset. In our first match against Guinea, the fans’ unwavering support propelled us forward, making a notable impact,” explained Coach Charai.
During the pre-match press conference in Rabat on Monday, Charai expressed the team’s determination to elevate their performance against Ghana, despite their victory in the previous encounter.
“We analyzed Ghana’s match against Congo. They possess a formidable offensive threat and display remarkable speed. However, we also identified areas of vulnerability within their team,” added Coach Charai.
