Former Morocco international defender Al-Hussein Ochla has tipped his country to top Group C ahead of main rivals Ghana at the 2021 Africa Cup of Ochla, who represented Morocco at the 2006 edition of the continent’s flagship competition, shared his thoughts on Tuesday’s draw, which paired Morocco against the four-time African champions as well as Gabon and debutants Comoros.
Morocco and Ghana will clash in the group’s opening game on January 10 in Yaounde, a repeat of June’s friendly match in which the Atlas Lions emerged victorious 1-0.
“Ghana’s national team is no longer as strong as the previous one, and it is in the process of changing its skin, and it no longer has great stars, as was the case over the past years,” Ochla said after the draw.
“I think we got to know them enough two months ago in the friendly in Rabat and we won (1-0), and we were the best party, even though the Moroccan team was not going through its best at the time.”
He added: “The Ghana national team, like the rest of the traditional powers in Africa, has lost its famous stars, and is in the process of renewing its blood. However, it is a strong and fierce competitor for the Moroccan Al-Menthab in his group.”
“Cameroon’s stadiums are of high quality and the Moroccan team’s players are talented, and I hope that the World Cup qualifiers in Qatar will be an important station to prepare for increasing harmony between all lines to reach the finals while they are at the top of their performance,” he concluded.
Morocco will face Comoros before wrapping up their group stage campaign against Gabon.
It is, however, the opposite for the Black Stars.