The Atlas Lions will open against the Carthage Eagles on Monday in Libreville in what promises to be a giant clash between the north Africans
By Lolade Adewuyi
إيريك جيريتس – منتخب المغرب (Morocco)
Morocco coach Eric Gerets has said that the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations will hold enormous surprises for teams participating in the tournament.
The Atlas Lions will open their campaign against neighbours Tunisia on Monday in Libreville in a game that is expected to be one of the major highlights of the preliminary stages. This game is a reminder of the 2004 final when the Carthage Eagles edged the Lions to earn their first Afcon title.
“You can never tell what is going to happen,” Gerets, who will be taking part in the tournament for the first time, toldFifa.com.
“When you think a match is going to be difficult it turns out to be very easy, for example that Algeria game in qualifying [where Morocco won 4-0]. We thought beforehand playing them away that it was going to be extremely tough but it turned out to be our easiest game.
“I think it could come down to which of us scores first.”
Gerets’ confidence is hinged on the fact that all of his major players are fit for the important opener, which is likely to determine the team that will go through to the next round as top of the group, thereby avoiding a strong Ghana team in the quarter finals, as the Black Stars are expected to win their group.
“Our preparations have gone smoothly, in fact I wish we could play tonight, we’re impatient to get going,” he said.
The former Marseille coach, however, has reservations about the playing surface after his team had their training in Libreville.
“The grass this evening worried me a little, it slowed the ball down, I’m not sure whether it’ll be similar in the stadium on Monday. It’s hot too, but it’s the same for everyone.”
Morocco will be looking to do better than their first round exits in the 2006 and 2008 editions.
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