The in-form Morocco will be looking to continue their winning start in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they welcome Guinea-Bissau to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday for an exciting Group I clash with kickoff at 22:00.
Morocco are the among the best sides in Africa in terms of appearances in the World Cup titles having featured in five previous editions of the quadrennial tournament, and the Atlas Lions look determined to make their sixth appearance after opening their qualifying campaign on a winning note as they beat their Northeastern opponents Sudan 2-0 in Rabat back in September.
The win marked the fourth win in a row for Morocco since their 0-0 draw with Mauritania in the AFCON qualifiers back in March and Vahid Halilhodzic’s side head into the match in a fine form as they boast a run of 19 matches without a defeat across all competitions, while claiming 15 wins and four draws in that run.
Therefore, Morocco will enter the match looking to prolong their brilliant run as they aim to go ahead of their opponents who are just a point above the hosts in the group standings.
Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau have never qualified for World Cup tittle and entered the race for a place in Qatar in high spirits after clinching a ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations following a final-day 3-0 win over Congo in Group I of the qualifiers.
The Djurtus made known their determination to make a first appearance to the most celebrated tournament the World Cup, by putting on a valiant display salvaging a 1-1 draw when they faced the stern test of squaring up against a significantly stronger Guinea.
The draw was then followed by a thrilling 4-2 win over Sudan in their second Group I match at the Al-Hilal Stadium nearly one week later. Guinea-Bissau were leading 3-0 at half time thanks to goals from Frediric Mendy and Piqueti who netted a brace before Mohamed Abdelrahman scored for Sudan on either side of Mama Balde’s 82nd minute goal that propelled Baciro Cande’s side to the top of the group with four points and a +2 goal difference.
Guinea-Bissau head into the match in a good form as they are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, picking up three wins and a draw with 11 goals while conceding only four.
However, they face a rampant Morocco side who last tested defeat in a competitive game back in 2018 and they head into the Wednesday clash off the back seven straight clean sheets.
Morocco vs Guinea-Bissau head to head
Both sides are yet to meet in any competition and will be fascinating to see how this plays out.
Home
- Morocco 2-0 Sudan
- Morocc0 1-0 Burkina Faso
- Morocco 1-0 Ghana
- Morocco 1-0 Burundi
- Mauritania 0-0 Morocco
Away
- Sudan 2-4 Guinea-Bissau
- Guinea-Bissau 1-1 Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Congo Republic
- Eswatini 1-3 Guinea-Bissau
- Guinea-Bissau 0-1 Senegal
Morocco team news
Vahid Halilhodzic named a 27-man squad for their upcoming qualifying games with the likes of Achraf Hakim, Romain Saiss and Youssef En-Nesyri heading the team. However, Hakim Ziyech remains out of reckoning for Morocco after falling out with the manager.
Guinea-Bissau team news
Baciro Cande has named a 25-man squad including key figures including Nanu, Mamadou Pele and Mama Balde.
Prediction and odds
- Morocco win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
