Our prediction for this Africa Cup of Nations 2024 match:
Morocco will look to move one step closer to winning their first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1976 when they take on Malawi at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo on Tuesday evening. Morocco defeated both Ghana and Comoros in the group stages, while sharing the spoils with Gabon, and the bookies see them as hot favourites to advance to the quarter-finals. Chelsea ace Hakim Ziyech has been left out of the squad, while Sevilla attacker Youssef En Nesyri is back to contention after recovering from coronavirus.
QPR midfielder Ilias Chair is unlikely to feature against Malawi after limping off with injury in the 2-2 draw with Gabon. The Flames, on the other hand, booked their place in the AFCON playoffs thanks to a goalless draw with star-studded Senegal. Malawi, though, will have a mountain to climb in Tuesday’s clash with Morocco, who are seen as one of the main candidates to win the tournament.
Highlighted Player (Mehdi Carcela-González):
Despite being born in Liege, Belgium on July 1, 1989, Mehdi Carcela represents Morocco on the international stage. Carcela initially chose to play for his country of birth Belgium, taking part in two friendlies with the Red Devils, but in February 2011 he made his debut with Morocco.
He represented Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, but the African side failed to make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament. Speaking of his club career, Mehdi Carcela played for the likes of Standard Liege, Anzhi, Benfica, Granada and Olympiakos (on loan). He currently plays for Standard Liege on loan from Granada.
Mehdi Carcela’s main position is right winger, but he is capable of playing as both attacking midfielder and left winger as well. In the 2008/2009 season the Morocco international won the Belgian Pro League with Standard and seven seasons later he repeated the success with Benfica as the Eagles won Primeira Liga. His preferred foot is left.