Host nation Morocco will continue their pursuit of continental crown on home soil when they take on Tanzania in the round of 16 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
In this article, SportPremi provides an-depth preview and team news ahead of the January 4 clash, which will decide who advances to the quarterfinals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Match Preview
Morocco advanced to the knockout stages for the fifth consecutive time and head into the round of 16 clash against Tanzania as favourites. The Atlas Lions are the best team in Africa and are also one of the most consistent teams in the world at the moment.
They finished their Group A campaign with seven points from three matches, only dropping points in the 1-1 draw against Mali in their second match.
The host country had defeated Comoros 2-0 in the tournament opener and then dominated Zambia on their way to a 3-0 win in their final group match.
The threat posed by attacking duo Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi and the return of CAF Men’s player of the year Achraf Hakimi makes them a threat to any team on the continent.
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Tanzania meanwhile, qualified for the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, but failed to win a single game during the group stage.
They recorded just two points and qualified as one of the highest ranked third-placed teams. The Taifa Stars lost 2-1 to Nigeria in their opening match, before recording 1-1 draws against Uganda and Tunisia to book their spot in the next round.
Head to Head record
22.08.2025 – Tanzania 0-1 Morocco (African Nations Championship)
25.03.2025 – Morocco 2-0 Tanzania (World Cup Qualifier)
17.01.2024 – Morocco 3-0 Tanzania (African Cup of Nations)
21.11.2023 – Tanzania 0-2 Morocco (World Cup Qualifier)
08.06.2013 – Morocco 2-1 Tanzania (World Cup Qualifier)
Morocco have dominated this matchup and have won the last five meetings between both sides, keeping clean sheets in the last four.
Form:
Morocco
Morocco have been very impressive in recent outings and have not suffered defeat in over a year. They won two of their three group stage matches, scoring six times and conceding just once.
Form:
Tanzania
Tanzania are on a poor run of form and are winless in their last five matches, although they are unbeaten in the last two.
The Taifa Stars are also without a win so far in Morocco and are underdogs heading into the clash against the host nation.
Team News:
Morocco
The host nation will be boosted by the return of star defender Achraf Hakimi, who made his first appearance of the tournament in the win over Zambia in their final group match.
However, Roman Saiss could still miss out with injury having not featured in the Atlas Lions last two matches.
Predicted Lineups: Bono (GK), Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, El Aynaoui, Saibari, El Kaabi, Diaz.
Tanzania
Tanzania have a fully fit squad to pick from ahead of the crucial round of 16 clash.
Predicted Lineups: Masalanga (GK), Hussein, Hamad, Nwamnyeto, Job, Miroshi, Msanga, Msuva, Salum, Mnoga, Samatta.
SportPremi prediction
Morocco 3-0 Tanzania
Morocco boast greater overall quality than Tanzania, and the head-to-head record tilts in their favour. They head into this clash as strong favourites to advance.
