JavaScript is disabled! Why you want to do so? Please enable JavaScript in your web browser!
Just over a year before the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN), organized in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, the national team is still looking for itself in attack. The fault in particular is an imbalance in his offensive animation. The adversaries do not ignore this and put in place defensive displays.
The double confrontation against the Central African Republic, the first of which is played on the lawn of the Oujda stadium of honor, this Saturday October 12 (8 p.m.), as part of the 3rd day of the CAN 2025 qualifiers, represents the ideal opportunity to test new playing patterns and gain unpredictability.
It is an event important enough to underline it: the national coach, Walid Regragui, summoned Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich) and Youssef Belammari (Raja Club Athletic), two specialists in the left-back position. Players capable of bringing a second wind and balance to the offensive animation of the national team.
Elements which will be decisive “against the Central African Republic which will be organized around a low defensive block. We need to find the right solutions and schemes,” affirmed the coach on the evening of Friday October 11, during the traditional pre-match conference.
A game too oriented to the right
Creating gaps in dense, wait-and-see defenses represents the greatest room for improvement for the national team. Faced with this type of defensive organization, Walid Regragui’s men find it difficult to create clear opportunities. As evidenced by xG score (1.49) and number of shots on target (3) of the Atlas Lions during the narrow victory against Lesotho.
In comparison, they found the target six times for an xG score of 3.83 against Gabon (4-1) who did not completely close the game. The fact that the epicenter of the Moroccan attack is on the right side is no stranger to Lesotho’s defensive performances. EN technical leaders often combine in this area of the field. But their offensive contribution, as important as it may be, is not likely to plunge the opponent into doubt.
On the contrary, Morocco relies so much on the right side of its attack that it makes the task of opposing defenders easier. The absences of Brahim Diaz and Hakim Ziyech during this gathering, combined with the summons of Adam Aznou and Youssef Belammari, will bring more variety to an offensive sector which lacks it.
“I have no concerns for Belammari, either mentally or technically. It brings a technical touch which will offer solutions. Alongside Adam Aznou, they are two very good players,” assures the national coach. Concretely, the two new left-backs of the national team will allow better occupation of the field in width.
Usually, the national coach aligns a right-hander on the left, who naturally tends to direct his checks and passes towards the inside of the game. It is no coincidence that only a third of the crosses came from the left during the three meetings which preceded that of Lesotho.
Multiply the sources of danger
Conversely, the victory over the Lesothian players highlighted the benefits brought by a left-handed player. In the first half, Adam Aznou had more freedom than his teammate on the other side. During the second act, the defensive readjustment made by Lesotho to control Aznou offered space to Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech, who scored the only goal of the match.
In total, Morocco will have crossed thirty times towards the Lesotho penalty area, almost half of which are to the credit of Adam Aznou (6) and Achraf Hakimi (7). Knowing that there is little chance that the Central African Republic will board, multiplying the sources of danger will be essential to continue the series of successes (4).
At 26, Youssef Belaamri has a golden opportunity to permanently integrate the national team. Especially since no one has imposed themselves on the left-back position. The Raja side returns in great shape. He is involved in four goals in nine matches (3 assists and one goal), or half of its total from the previous season, two months before the winter break.
The native of Rabat will undoubtedly have the opportunity to take advantage of the spaces left by Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Eliesse Ben Seghir, who do not hesitate to move into the center of the field. He has on his side the quality of passing in the opponent’s 30 meters and the precision in crosses (42%). Qualities sought by Morocco in its quest for a second African Cup of Nations.
Do you have a real estate project in mind? Yakeey & Médias24 help you make it happen!
© Media24. Any reproduction prohibited, in any form whatsoever, without written authorization from the Société des Nouveaux Médias. This content is protected by law and in particular law 88-13 relating to the press and publishing as well as laws 66.19 and 2-00 relating to copyright and related rights.
