Morocco vs Tanzania: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | AFCON 2025/26

Morocco vs Tanzania — Match Preview

The knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations arrive in the capital as hosts Morocco welcome Tanzania to the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Sunday, 4 January 2026.¹ The Atlas Lions cruised through Group A, collecting 7 points and conceding just once, solidifying their status as tournament favorites on home soil. In contrast, Tanzania have made history by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time ever.³ The Taifa Stars advanced as one of the best third-placed teams with just 2 points, surviving a tense group stage that included heavyweights Nigeria and Tunisia. While the hosts are overwhelming favorites, the pressure of a nation rests heavily on their shoulders against a Tanzanian side with absolutely nothing to lose.+3

Morocco vs Tanzania — Match Info

• Competition: AFCON 2025 (Round of 16)
• Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat (Capacity: 69,500)
• Date: Sunday, 4 January 2026
• Kickoff: 17:00 GMT | 18:00 WAT | 12:00 ET
• Referee: TBC (CAF Appointment)

Morocco vs Tanzania — Match Stakes

Morocco (Hosts):

• Win → Moves to the Quarter-finals; keeps the dream of a first AFCON title since 1976 alive on home turf.⁹
• Loss → A national catastrophe; arguably the biggest upset in AFCON history given the host status and squad disparity.

Tanzania:

• Win → The greatest result in the nation’s footballing history; secures a quarter-final berth against all odds.
• Loss → Elimination with heads held high after achieving the historic milestone of reaching the knockout phase.

Morocco vs Tanzania — Team News

Morocco:

• Saiss R. — Out (Muscle Injury – Captain Missing)
• Igamane H. — Questionable (Hamstring Injury)
• Boufal S. — Available (Returned to training)
• Defensive Shuffle: With Romain Saiss ruled out, Nayef Aguerd will likely partner with Abdel Abqar or Chadi Riad in central defense.
• Key Return: Achraf Hakimi is expected to start after being rested/rotated in the final group game.¹⁰

Tanzania:

• Msuva S. — Available (Top Scorer/Key Threat)
• Samatta M. — Available (Captain & Leader)
• Mnoga H. — Available (Suspension risk cleared for knockouts)
• Tactical Setup: Manager Hemed Morocco (ironically named) is expected to deploy a defensive 5-4-1 block to frustrate the hosts, relying on Msuva’s pace on the break.

Morocco vs Tanzania — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Morocco

• 30/12 — 3–0 vs Zambia (AFCON)
• 27/12 — 1–1 vs Mali (AFCON)
• 22/12 — 2–0 vs Comoros (AFCON)
• 18/12 — 2–2 vs Jordan (Arab Cup – B Team)
• 15/12 — 3–0 vs UAE (Arab Cup – B Team)

Tanzania

• 30/12 — 1–1 vs Tunisia (AFCON)
• 27/12 — 1–1 vs Uganda (AFCON)
• 23/12 — 1–2 vs Nigeria (AFCON)
• 15/11 — 3–4 vs Kuwait (Friendly)
• 14/10 — 0–2 vs Iran (Friendly)

Morocco vs Tanzania — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

• 22/08/2025 — Tanzania 0–1 Morocco (CHAN/Friendly)
• 26/03/2025 — Morocco 2–0 Tanzania (WC Qualifier)
• 17/01/2024 — Morocco 3–0 Tanzania (AFCON Group Stage)
• 22/11/2023 — Tanzania 0–2 Morocco (WC Qualifier)
• 09/06/2013 — Morocco 2–1 Tanzania (WC Qualifier)

Morocco vs Tanzania — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Morocco (4-1-4-1)

Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Abqar, Mazraoui; Amrabat; Ziyech, Ounahi, Diaz, Adli; En-Nesyri

Tanzania (5-4-1)

Manula; Mnoga, Mwamnyeto, Hamad, Job, Miroshi; Msuva, Mao, Yassin, Abraham; Samatta

Morocco vs Tanzania — Impact Bench

Morocco: El Kaabi (Goal machine), Ezzalzouli (Dribbling chaos), Richardson (Energy)

Tanzania: Denis (Pace), Salum (Midfield creativity)

Morocco vs Tanzania — Tactical Analysis

Morocco

Walid Regragui’s side has been dominant in possession.26 Without Saiss, they lose leadership at the back, but their midfield trio of Amrabat, Ounahi, and Brahim Diaz is world-class.27 Morocco will look to overload the right flank with Hakimi and Ziyech to break down Tanzania’s low block. The key will be an early goal to force Tanzania out of their shell; the longer it stays 0–0, the more the Rabat crowd might get anxious.+1

Tanzania

The Taifa Stars have been resilient, drawing with Tunisia and Uganda.28 They defend in numbers and are physically robust. Their game plan will be simple: survive the first 60 minutes and look for Mbwana Samatta to hold up play or win set-pieces. They struggled against Nigeria’s pace, which is a worry against the likes of Hakimi and Adli.

Morocco vs Tanzania — Key Battles

• Hakimi vs Miroshi — The world’s best right-back vs Tanzania’s hardworking wing-back.
• Amrabat vs Feisal Salum — Midfield control battle.
• En-Nesyri vs Mwamnyeto — Aerial duel in the box.
• Bounou vs Samatta — Tanzania’s only real goal threat vs an elite GK.

Morocco vs Tanzania — Spotlight Players

Morocco — Brahim Diaz

The Real Madrid star has settled perfectly into the team. His ability to dribble in tight spaces is exactly what is needed to unlock a packed Tanzanian defense.

Tanzania — Simon Msuva

Often the man for the big occasion for Tanzania. If the Taifa Stars are to pull off a miracle, Msuva’s speed on the counter-attack will be the primary weapon.

Morocco vs Tanzania — Prediction

Morocco 3–0 Tanzania

The gap in quality is simply too vast. Morocco are playing at home, have beaten Tanzania comfortably in their last four meetings (aggregate 8–0), and have a squad full of Champions League pedigree. Tanzania have done incredibly well to reach this stage, but their fairy tale likely ends here against a ruthless Moroccan side.

Morocco vs Tanzania — Betting Insights

• Morocco to Win to Nil — High Probability (Tanzania struggle to create against top tier defenses).
• Brahim Diaz to Score or Assist — Likely.
• Over 2.5 Goals — Likely (Morocco could cover this alone).

Morocco vs Tanzania — Where to Watch

• Morocco: Arryadia TNT
• International: beIN Sports, Canal+ Afrique
• UK: Sky Sports Football
• Streaming: CAF TV (YouTube – Select Regions)

Morocco vs Tanzania — FAQs

Q: When is the Morocco vs Tanzania match?

A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 4 January 2026, at 17:00 GMT.29

Q: Is Romain Saiss playing?

A: No. The Moroccan captain is ruled out with a muscle injury.

Q: Has Tanzania ever beaten Morocco?

A: Tanzania won once in 2013 (3-1), but Morocco has won every meeting since then.30

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