The story Morocco and African Cup Of Nations is a bit different. Only in 1976 Morocco has won the competion, never before or since has reached the final, not even at home. Closest African country to Europe and first African world cup qualificant after the second world war, the emphasis of efforts have often been on the World Cup. Also it seems that the subsaharan conditions do not boost the teams performances. Ironically the exception to the rule was at Nigeria 1980, when with a third place Morocco had their second best result. 

 But 20 years later the tournament 2000 delivered a destructive blow to the continuing rise of a team that had won many sympathies at the World Cup 1998 and seemed an African promise for glory four years later.

 It all came different. Morocco, drawn into a 'group of death' with Nigeria and Tunisia, missed the quarter-final qualification by a half goal (one goal scored more and they would have been qualified) and long term coach Henri Michel in the aftermath.
 A rather hysterical rebuilding of the national team ended quickly with dismal performances and after another coaching change the team relied on old powers. In the end Morocco missed the qualification for World Cup again on goal difference.

 Now Portuguesian coach Humberto Coelho arrives with a group of players in which the name Mustapha Hadji is missing, he is reported to feel 'mobbed' against by a local clique in the squad.

 Morocco will focus on this competition more than ever because eliminated from the World Cup it is all they can win. But they will not only have to resist Ghana and Burkina Faso, two West African outfits, playing on West African soil. Winning the group might become essential, too, to possibly avoid co-favorites Nigeria in the quarter finals.
Provided the Super Eagles find their form.