Mboma says pressure mounting on Morocco despite AFCON progress

By Neilley Claude EBESSA

Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon

Former Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma says Morocco are under growing pressure at the Africa Cup of Nations, insisting that performances have not fully convinced fans despite the team’s solid results.

Speaking from Morocco, where he currently resides, Mboma revealed that public criticism of the Atlas Lions is increasing, even as they continue their AFCON campaign.

I live in Morocco, so I can confirm that the national team is being criticised,” Mboma said in comments reported by Afrik Foott. “It is a solid team that respects Walid Regragui’s tactics, a coach I really appreciate and support, but he does not have unanimous backing in the country.”

Mboma acknowledged Morocco’s tactical discipline under Regragui, but questioned the team’s level of dominance in matches so far at the tournament.

The team is not dominant enough,” he said. “They struggled against Mali in the group stage (1-1) and against Tanzania in the round of 16 (1-0). The only match they truly controlled was against Zambia (3-0).”

According to the former Indomitable Lions forward, the weight of expectations following Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is playing a significant role in shaping public perception.

There is enormous pressure,” Mboma added. “Morocco finished fourth at the last World Cup, and some of their players play for very big European clubs. Expectations are huge.”

However, Mboma noted that despite the results, concerns remain over the overall quality of play, a sentiment he believes is widely shared among Moroccan supporters.

In terms of the quality of football, Moroccans are not satisfied, and that is understandable,” he said. “It is possible that the team is struggling to free itself from the pressure weighing on its shoulders.”

Morocco remain one of the favourites to go deep into the AFCON, but Mboma’s comments highlight the fine balance between results and performances as scrutiny intensifies ahead of the decisive stages of the tournament.