At 5 PM at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco begins its knockout phase against Tanzania, with the idea that “the real tournament starts now.” In this context, Hoalid Regragui must also deal with a significant blow confirmed just hours before the match: Azzedine Ounahi is unavailable, seen at the stadium on crutches with a brace, forcing the staff to readjust the balance in midfield.
The coach fields an initiative-oriented eleven in a 4-3-3 formation, with an important return on the flanks: Bounou in goal; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, and Mazraoui in defense; El Aynaoui, El Khannouss, and Saibari in midfield; Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi, and Brahim Díaz in attack. Without Ounahi, the objective is clear: maintain control in the center while keeping offensive references around El Kaabi and the creativity of Brahim, to prevent the match from turning into a tactical trap against a confident opponent.
The discourse remains consistent with the trend of recent hours: vigilance and attention to detail. Mazraoui and Bounou have emphasized the idea of total discipline and approaching the match without overconfidence, precisely the type of focus sought before a home knockout where mistakes are unforgiving. With this XI, Morocco sends an offensive message but will need to demonstrate maturity: control the tempo, attack patiently, and not offer Tanzania the scenario it hopes for.
