Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Morocco vs. Liberia - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 September 2023, 20:04
Morocco and Liberia drew the curtain on their respective Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns with an encounter at Stade Adrar on Saturday night.

The hosts have already secured their place for next year's continental football showpiece and now set out to finish top of their qualifying group.

Match preview

Morocco fell to a 2-1 defeat against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa when the teams locked horns at the First National Bank Stadium on June 17.

Walid Regragui's men went into the interval trailing following a Munir own goal and soon found themselves down by two thanks to Zakhele Lepasa's strike before Hakim Ziyech halved the deficit right on the hour mark.

As a result, the Atlas Lions have dropped down to second place in Group K of the AFCON qualifiers, albeit just one point adrift of top spot with a game in hand.

Next up is the challenge of facing off against an opposing outfit who suffered a 2-0 loss in the only previous edition of this fixture back in June 2022.

Unbeaten in front of their fans for over two years, Saturday's hosts will be looking to put on a show for their fans and secure a first home win since their famous 2-1 triumph over Brazil in March.

Liberia were beaten on home turf yet again as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against South Africa at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium on March 28.

Ansumana Keita's men went behind to Zakhele Lepasa's 19th-minute strike but managed to restore parity through William Jebor after which Mihlali Mayambela grabbed the winner eight minutes into the second period.

Having managed just one point from their three AFCON qualifiers so far, the Lone Stars remain rooted to the bottom of their group, a whopping five points shy of this weekend's opponents in second.

Winless in eight straight matches across all competitions, the visitors will be keen to turn their fortunes around starting with this weekend's trip to Agadir.

Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Morocco form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

D

L

Liberia Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Liberia form (all competitions):

D

L

D

L

Advert - content below:

Team News

Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat may have to wait a little longer for his 50th international appearance as he continues to battle with a back problem.

Youssef En-Nesyri scored the clinching goal in the only previous encounter between Saturday's opponents and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Forward Albert Korvah is on course to make his debut for Liberia having been called up to the national team squad for the first time ever.

William Jebor's strike against South Africa last time out was his 13th for the visitors, moving him within five goals of the legendary George Weah's all-time record of 18.

Morocco possible starting lineup:

Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Attiyat Allah; Harit, Ounahi, Amallah, El Khannous; El Kaabi, En-Nesyri

Liberia possible starting lineup:

Songo; Pabai, Dweh, Balde, Dorley; Tisdell, Adukor, Kenneh, Njie; Jebor, Kamara

We say: Morocco 3-0 Liberia

Previews by email

Top News

4 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has promised to "find a solution" to Amad Diallo's contract situation. 4 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has admitted he has been left "devastated" after a fresh injury setback. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has slammed rumours that he has fallen out with playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford boss Thomas Frank has confirmed midfielder Mathias Jensen will miss Wednesday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa through injury. 3 December 2024 talksport.com Bayern Munich are out of the DFB-Pokal, marking the end of one of Harry Kane's trophy hopes this season. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Thursday night. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy kicked off his reign as Leicester City boss with a 3-1 home victory against West Ham United, increasing the pressure on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui. 3 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal and Manchester United's rivalry has certainly died down from fierce encounters it once routinely delivered. 3 December 2024 talksport.com Luke Shaw has revealed he's suffered 'a small setback' in what has been the 'toughest period' of his ongoing injury nightmare. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham could be without as many as six players for Thursday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two top-half teams in the Premier League go head-to-head at Craven Cottage on Thursday night as Fulham play host to Brighton & Hove Albion. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A much-changed England Women's side concluded a turbulent 2024 with an unconvincing 1-0 friendly triumph over Switzerland Women at Bramall Lane. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth could be without up to four players for Thursday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still seeking to solve their chronic inconsistent form, Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Thursday night. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been warned that Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim could exploit one particular weakness in Wednesday's tantalising Premier League battle with the Red Devils. 3 December 2024 talksport.com Ruud van Nistelrooy has found one Premier League record that Jamie Vardy almost certainly won't steal from him. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A Manchester United side yet to lose under new boss Ruben Amorim face a rejuvenated Arsenal outfit in Wednesday's Premier League main event at the Emirates, where the hosts could beat the Red Devils in four straight league matches for the first time ever. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are now undisputed favourites for Premier League glory after effectively eliminating Manchester City from the title race on Sunday, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raphinha scored a brace to help Barcelona clinch a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Mallorca at San Moix. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will look to claim a fourth consecutive La Liga victory when they travel to San Mames for Wednesday's clash with Athletic Bilbao. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has refuted rumours suggesting Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool for the Parc des Princes in 2025. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arne Slot tactically outclassed Pep Guardiola during Liverpool's 2-0 win against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday and effectively eliminated the champions from the title race, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers meet in an early-season relegation six-pointer in the Premier League on Wednesday. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will make the trip to the South Coast to face bottom-of-the-table Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Unexpectedly separated by just one place and one point in the Premier League table, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest collide at the Etihad on Wednesday evening. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Out to conquer Newcastle United for the seventh game in a row, Liverpool travel to St James' Park to clash with the Magpies in Wednesday's Premier League showdown. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly failed to make a breakthrough in contract talks with defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. 3 December 2024 talksport.com Five Ballon d'Or awards, three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and 33 trophies - but there is one thing Cristiano Ronaldo can't do. 3 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal could write a new chapter of club history when they welcome Manchester United to their North London home for a landmark Emirates Premier League game on Wednesday.