Morocco avoid Qatar draws sideshow as Malawi looms

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Jan 23, 2022. 18:16

Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic says he is focused on Malawi and will deal with issues regarding Saturday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final playoff qualifier draws at a later date.

The Atlas Lions will play DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup CAF Zone final third round qualifiers.

“At the moment, I am busy with preparations for the Malawi game and afterwards I will think more and I will talk about this playoff match,” Halilhodzic told the Morocco Football Federation media.

“We have time to prepare for them. My concern is currently fixed on the next AFCON match.”

Morocco will battle Malawi in a last 16 date on January 26 in Yaoundé.

Halilhodzic has very good reasons to stay fully focused on AFCON.

Morocco are battling to end a 18-year knockout round jinx that has seen them not reach the AFCON semifinals since 2004 en route to the  final where they lost to Tunisia in an all-North Africa derby showdown final.

The Atlas Lions reached the 2017 AFCON quarterfinals and the last 16 of the 2019 tournament.

Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions will be away to DR Congo in the first leg playoff that will be decided over two legs that will be played during the week of March 23-29.