AFCON 2023 : Ousmane Dembélé unveils his team, excluding Senegal

Ousmane Dembélé, of Senegalese-Mauritanian origin, won’t be supporting either of the two teams at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). Instead, he wishes to see Morocco go “as far as possible.”

Ousmane Dembélé Supports Morocco

As the Atlas Lions prepare to embark on their journey in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, unexpected support comes from the French side. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), the dynamic winger of Mauritanian origin, has expressed his support for Morocco, the homeland of his wife and his right-side teammate, Achraf Hakimi.

This fraternal gesture comes in a unique sporting context for PSG, facing the temporary departure of a key player: the Atlas Lion, Achraf Hakimi. “He is a key player in our team, and he will be missed, but I hope Morocco goes as far as possible,” said Ousmane Dembélé, as reported by Le Parisien.

This commendable support towards his teammate, with whom he has developed a notable understanding on the right flank, is notable. It’s worth noting that the Parisian club still benefited from a bit of favoritism as the Atlas Lion was made available for the Trophée des Champions against Toulouse (2-0) on Wednesday, even though the national team gathering had already begun.

Ousmane Dembélé Will Miss Hakimi!

However, if Ousmane Dembélé’s wish were to come true, this situation wouldn’t be favorable for the Parisian club. The third-place playoff and the final of the CAN are scheduled for February 10 and 11 in Côte d’Ivoire. In the event that Morocco reaches this stage of the competition (which is not unlikely), Hakimi would be unable to participate in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Real Sociedad, scheduled for February 14.

Being in excellent form since the start of the season, his potential absence could cause concerns for Luis Enrique. Carlos Soler or Warren Zaïre-Emery could be potential replacements, or even Nordi Mukiele, although the latter seems to be starting from a more distant position.

However, before thinking about replacing the Moroccan for the Champions League, which won’t be an easy task, it is essential for Morocco to qualify for the knockout stage of the CAN. The troops of Walid Regragui will start their campaign against Tanzania on January 17.

Morocco, Well Prepared for CAN 2023

Currently, the Moroccan team is sharpening its skills at home. In the midst of preparation for the Africa Cup, the national team finds itself in a favorable situation at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. The Atlas Lions express their satisfaction with the atmosphere within the team during their training at the Maâmora Football Complex. Sofiane Boufal and Ayoub El Kaabi share their impressions.

During the training session on Wednesday, January 3, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora, where they are focusing on the Africa Cup of Nations, the national team players emphasized the positive atmosphere within the group. According to Walid Regragui and his team, the mood is excellent, and all conditions are met to ensure optimal preparation for this important continental competition.

“Al Hamdoulillah, everything is going well. I have recovered well from my injury, and now I am ready 100%… And we are ready to take on this challenge,” said Sofiane Boufal to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) website.

On his part, Ayoub El Kaabi highlighted the excellent conditions of the training camp, stating, “A good atmosphere prevails within the group. We are above all a family. And this will give us even more motivation to live up to the expectations of the Moroccan public.”