Come on you Atlas Lions!

[razrif]

MOROCCO

A young Moroccan team coached by the 1986 African Footballer of the Year, Badou Zaki, exceeded expectations by reaching the final of the 2004 Nations Cup.

The Atlas Lions lost 2-1 against an inspired Tunisia following a goalkeeping howler from the hitherto dependable Khalid Fouhami.

This time around the Moroccan players must be feeling like a syndicate which won the lottery but lost the ticket after failing to qualify for the World Cup.

The Atlas Lions were the only unbeaten team in the qualifiers, yet lost out on a World Cup place to Tunisia.

This has left self-belief in short supply and critics who dismiss their chances of winning have plenty of good arguments.

The dreams of the Moroccan camp will no doubt depend on the motivational qualities of Mohammed Fakhir, who was named coach on the final day of 2005.

Fakhir, who steered Royal Armed Forces to victory in the 2005 Confederation Cup, replaced the much-travelled Frenchman Philippe Troussier.

Troussier was fired just two months into the job by officials who claimed the so-called White Witchdoctor did not share their goals for the national team.

Morocco: BBC News Country Profile

The Moroccan squad is high on talent, with several stars earning a living in Europe's top leagues, and many of the players who came so close to conquering the continent two years ago will be on parade in Egypt.

But for the Atlas Lions to roar their way to Nations Cup glory, the 52-year-old Fakhir must find answers to the inconsistencies that ruined Morocco's World Cup campaign.

Talal El Karkouri
Talal El Karkouri's defensive acumen is crucial to Morocco's cause
Key players: Talal El Karkouri lends solidity to the defence while Holland-based Tarik Sektoui is a midfield workhorse.

Marouane Chamakh, who plays for Bordeaux in France, is a striker with the vision to create openings and execute goals.

Verdict: Although Egypt and the Ivory Coast are difficult opponents, the Atlas Lions have the ability to finish ahead of at least one of them.

Their pride wounded by World Cup failure, how Morocco will fare could really be anybody's guess, but it is well within their power to top the group and go as far as the final.

[Ghazala]

Chamakh is by far the best player we have & its good that Zairi is back on form (tho' he is injured I think )

[Khalidz]

I jus hope they dont put us through hell again and 'lose' Inshallah they wont!!

COME ON YOU MIGHTY ATLAS LIONS!!!

[Ghazala]

Aaaah Khalid, so melodramatic

I'm gonna go watch some matches Inshallah

[Khalidz]

fayen fa egypt? they playin now init, a friendly?

[Ghazala]

Naam, fi masr

[Khalidz]

Mezian a lalla... So I take it we will not have ur attendence at next weeks bday do?