Moroccan football growth ‘not random’published at 20:02 GMT
20:02 GMT
Morocco v Comoros (19:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty Images
Moroccan King Mohammed first discussed his plan to use football as a tool for social and economic development in 2008, before opening the Mohammed VI Football Academy in 2009 and the $65m (£48.5m) Mohammed VI Training Complex in 2019.
The facilities host youth and senior national teams – men and women – combining elite training with education, accommodation and sports science.
“This evolution of Moroccan football is not a random achievement,” Moroccan football analyst Jalal Bounouar told BBC Sport Africa.
“It came through years of strategic planning and a long-term national project supported by the highest levels of Moroccan authorities.”
Sofyan Amrabat called the stadiums involved “amazing” and the pitches “very good”.
“The weather will be good – it’s not very hot at the moment in Morocco,” he added.
“With the fans behind us, they can push us a lot. We need this energy to go and press and show intensity.”