The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is pushing for a friendly match between Zimbabwe and Morocco during the June international break.
The match will help the Warriors prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September and October, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, starting in December.
Despite being at the bottom of Group C in CAF qualifiers, Zimbabwe still has a mathematical chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with 12 points still up for grabs.
South Africa, currently top of the group with 13 points, could face a three-point penalty for fielding an ineligible player, potentially opening up the group.
ZIFA recently signed a two-year partnership with Morocco, which includes friendly matches, youth and women’s football development, and exchange programmes. Morocco is expected to be the Warriors’ likely opponent for the friendly.
Zimbabwe will face Rwanda and Lesotho in September, followed by South Africa and Benin in October for the World Cup qualifiers.
The Warriors’ group stage opponents in the Africa Cup of Nations are Egypt, South Africa, and Angola, making the Morocco friendly important in preparing for the tournament.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/sport/article/200040077/warriors-court-morocco">NewsDay</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe's soccer team, the Warriors, may play a friendly match against Morocco in June to get ready for upcoming big tournaments. Even though they are not doing well in qualifiers, there's still hope for them to make it to the 2026 World Cup. South Africa might lose points for playing the wrong player, which could help Zimbabwe. They have a partnership with Morocco for matches and development programs. The Warriors have tough games against Rwanda, Lesotho, South Africa, and Benin in September and October. The friendly with Morocco will help them prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations.

ZIFA Eyes High-Profile Morocco Friendly For Warriors

Morocco, a strong contender in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has been eliminated from the tournament in the last-16 stage with a 2-0 loss to South Africa. Goals from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena secured South Africa’s place in the quarter-finals, while Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi missed a late penalty. This follows the exit of another tournament favourite, Senegal, who were defeated on penalties by the Ivory Coast. Egypt, the runners-up from the previous AFCON, were also eliminated in the last-16 stage after a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo.
South Africa took the lead in the 57th minute with Makgopa’s goal. Morocco had a chance to equalise in the 84th minute when Ayoub El Kaabi’s shot hit the arm of defender Mothobi Mvala, resulting in a penalty awarded after a VAR review. However, Hakimi’s penalty kick hit the crossbar, denying Morocco the opportunity to level the score. Later in the match, Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat received a second yellow card, which was upgraded to a straight red card after a VAR review. This left Morocco with ten men on the field. Mokoena then scored from the resulting free-kick, sealing South Africa’s victory.
Morocco had previously reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, an impressive feat which made them the first African team to achieve such a milestone. However, their journey in this year’s AFCON has come to an early end. Coach Walid Regragui expressed regret over missed chances, acknowledging that at this level of competition, any wasted opportunity can result in immediate punishment.
South Africa was being considered underdogs before the match. Their victory surprised many considering their poor start to the tournament. Notably, African football icon <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/17/samuel-etoo-baffled-by-south-africas-performance-at-afcon/">Samuel Eto’o expressed frustration</a> over South Africa’s initial performances, believing that the nation possesses enough resources to support football development. Zambian politician Joseph Kalimbwe had dismissed South Africa’s chances in the AFCON. He said on 19 January:
<blockquote>
Not to hate or anything but in this AFCON 2024, they won’t go anywhere these ones. The Phala Phala boys; this is football Sichaba Sa Naha – its not some Kwasa Kwasa or Amapiano Dance Competition !!!
<img alt="Bafana bafana South Africa" class="alignnone wp-image-270430" decoding="async" height="261" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bafana-bafana-300x185.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bafana-bafana-300x185.jpeg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bafana-bafana-768x475.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bafana-bafana.jpeg 1024w" width="423"/>
</blockquote>
His own country’s journey in the tournament also ended with a 1-0 defeat against Morocco. Zambia finished third in their group, failing to advance to the knockout stage. They are former AFCON champions.
South Africa will face Cape Verde in the quarter-finals on Saturday. 
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

South Africa Shocks Morocco With 2-0 Upset To Reach AFCON Quarter-finals

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Head Coach of Tanzania, Adel Amrouche, have been charged by the CAF Disciplinary Board for bringing CAF into disrepute. This follows comments made by Amrouche about the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) and allegations of Morocco having influence in CAF to manipulate match scheduling and officiating. Amrouche’s remarks were criticised by officials from RMFF, leading to an eight-match suspension for the coach and a fine of $10,000 for the TFF.
As a result of the suspension, Tanzania has suspended Amrouche and appointed Hemed Suleiman Ali as the interim coach. Tanzania is participating in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and aims to reach the knockout stages for the first time.
Amrouche had previously criticised the influence of RMFF in African football but later retracted his comments, acknowledging Morocco’s success and abilities as a team.
On Tuesday, the TFF distanced itself from Amrouche’s statements, emphasizing that they do not agree with his comments and that CAF follows its own procedures without influence from any country. TFF president Wallace Karia said in a video posted by Azam TV:
<blockquote>
We as [the] TFF do not agree with his comments.
Those are his own personal sentiments as a coach. We are Caf members, and we know Caf follows its own procedures without influence from any country.
The TFF and the Moroccan football federation are friends.
</blockquote>
The interim coach will lead the team in their upcoming matches, including their second group game against Zambia.
Amrouche had been appointed as Tanzania’s coach in March 2023, and this is their third appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

CAF Suspends And Fines Tanzania's Head Coach For Disparaging Remarks On Moroccan Football Federation

More than 1 000 people are reported dead after a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck central Morocco just before midnight on Friday.
Tremors were felt in several areas of the country from Casablanca to Marrakesh, where many buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged.
Tremors were also reportedly felt in the capital Rabat, some 350km away, as well as Casablanca and Essaouira, as well in neighbouring Algeria.
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66759069">BBC</a> reported that the quake struck at 11.11 PM local time on Friday, with its epicentre in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km southwest of Marrakesh, the fourth largest city in Morocco.
The epicentre is the location on the surface of the Earth directly above where the earthquake starts.
A 4.9 aftershock was recorded 19 minutes after the earthquake.
Many of the victims are believed to be in hard-to-reach mountain areas. Many people are still believed to be under the rubble amid efforts to find and rescue survivors.
Morocco’s interior ministry said the earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.
At least 1 200 people have been injured according to officials.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

More Than 1 000 Dead As Earthquake Strikes Morocco

Reigning football world champions France have set up a 2022 World Cup final showdown on Sunday with Lionel Messi’s Argentina after beating Morocco 2-0 in their semifinal clash on Wednesday.
Theo Hernandez scored France’s first goal inside five minutes at Al Bayt Stadium and substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed victory for Les Bleus with a late second.
Morocco, the first African and Arab team ever to reach the last four at a World Cup, fought hard despite losing key players to injury.
Centre-back Nayef Aguerd withdrew at the last minute, fellow defender and captain Romain Saiss left the field after just 21 minutes and the Atlas Lions also lost Bayern Munich left-back Noussair Mazraoui at halftime.
For France, two of their starters in the quarterfinal win over England, Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano, were missing due to illness.
The Sunday showdown with Argentina at Lusail Stadium will be France’s fourth World Cup final in seven editions.
France will be hoping to become the first team since Brazil 60 years ago to retain the trophy.
Morocco will now face Croatia in Saturday’s third-place play-off.

2022 World Cup: France Defeat Morocco To Set Up Argentina Final

Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the Moroccan national carrier, has cancelled seven flights scheduled to depart for Doha, Qatar on Wednesday ahead of the World Cup semi-final.
The decision to cancel the flights has left hundreds of Atlas Lions fans in Morocco disappointed as they will most likely miss the semi-final clash between their country and France tonight.
The decision was made after Morocco’s FA promised to give fans 13 000 free tickets to the clash with France.
In an emailed statement to the Reuters news agency, Royal Air Maroc said:
<blockquote>
Following the latest restrictions imposed by the Qatari authorities, Royal Air Maroc regrets to inform customers of the cancellation of their flights operated by Qatar Airways.
</blockquote>
It was unclear why Qatari officials ordered the airline to stop the flights.
The decision meant some supporters who had already booked match tickets or hotel rooms were unable to travel.
RAM said it would reimburse air tickets and apologised to customers.

World Cup 2022: Moroccan Airline Cancels Flights To Qatar

Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals after beating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday evening at the 2022 FIFA World Cup underway at Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions also became the first Arab team to make the last four following Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half goal sealed the win.
Morocco took the lead in the 42nd minute through En-Nesyri’s header as they came on strong late in the first half.
Despite late pressure by the Portuguese, an injury-hit Morocco, without three of their four first-choice defenders once skipper Romain Saiss was forced off, hung on despite being reduced to 10 men in added time. Moroccan coach Walid Regragui said:
<blockquote>
We came up against a really great Portugal team. We’re drawing on all we have, we still have guys injured.
I told the guys before the match we had to write history for Africa. I’m very, very happy.
</blockquote>
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was sent on early in the second half by coach Fernando Santos but could not rescue the Euro 2016 winners.
Before the victory over Portugal, Morocco had already beaten other European football powerhouses, that is, Belgium and Spain, on penalties, in Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s men will face holders France in the semifinals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday. | <a href="https://supersport.com/football/fifa-world-cup-2022/news/2fd5ef82-e141-4197-a72a-1a016054fdff/morocco-down-portugal-to-become-first-ever-african-world-cup-semifinalists">SuperSport</a>

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