Noussair Mazraoui feels he can handle the pressure at AFCON

There will be intense pressure on the hosts to meet the expectations but the quality at coach Walid Regragui’s disposal is outstanding, as his 28-man squad testifies.

Paris Saint-Germain powerhouse Achraf Hakimi may not be fit enough for the opening matches but the group also includes the likes of Yassine Bounou, Brahim Diaz and former Red Sofyan Amrabat. 

Mazraoui knows he has the temperament to handle such a situation, given his experience.

“Like I said, it’s a long while since we won an AFCON and I think the last one was maybe [over] 40 years ago,” added Mazraoui. “If not even longer than that.

“Like I said, we have a great team at this moment, and a great group of players, we did great in the World Cup of course. We improved even more. I think we are on the right path and, eventually, all those qualification games are nice. To win those, I don’t know how many different games back to back, I don’t know how many games now, but, in the end, the results in a big tournament like this are what counts.

“[I’m composed on the pitch] because I’ve been in a lot of situations where the pressure was immense. So I think having a lot of those kind of moments makes me, I don’t want to really say pressure-proof, but to really know what to do when the pressure is really on.

“So yeah, that’s why I think, when I’m under pressure, I’m still calm. I can still do what everybody tells us with no pressure.”