Noussair Mazraoui: Man United star’s AFCON heroics are rewarded | OneFootball

Despite the heartbreak of watching his country lose the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, Noussair Mazraoui should take comfort in his outstanding performances over the past month.

So close, yet so far

Heading into the tournament, Morocco were chasing their first AFCON title since 1976 – a fifty year wait for the football-obsessed country in North Africa.

They were considered one of the favourites as well, with the Atlas Lions’ current cohort something of a ‘golden generation’ given their success at the World Cup in 2022.

Morocco powered through to the semi-final in Qatar, becoming the first African country to reach that stage of the World Cup in history. And though they fell to France in a 2-0 defeat, the team left the Middle East as heroes in their homeland.

There was natural expectation, therefore, heading into the 35th edition of AFCON, especially given the amount of investment the Moroccan government has poured into the country’s football infrastructure in preparation for the 2030 World Cup.

Optimism turned to despair, however, in the final in Rabat as Senegal emerged 1-0 winners in extra time in a chaotic match which defied belief at times, as explained in greater detail here.

Mazraoui was substituted in the first half of extra time with his side chasing a goal, bringing an end to his AFCON, 22 minutes before Morocco’s hopes and dreams then also ended. But the 28-year-old defender was excellent throughout the tournament, as was Morocco’s defence in general, conceding just two goals across six games.

And Mazraoui has now been recognised for these performances individually after being selected for the official AFCON Team of the Tournament, though a fellow Red Devil is conspicuously absent.

Mazraoui included, Amad snubbed

Mazraoui is joined in defence by compatriots Yassine Bounou in goal and Achraf Hakimi at right back. The United defender is a right back by trade, but he shifts over to the left to accommodate Hakimi – a testament to his attitude and versatility.

Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal) and Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) complete the defence, while Pape Sarr – scorer of the winning goal in the final – and Idrissa Gueye form an all-Senegalese central midfield.

The front four is represented by two Nigerians, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, while Sadio Mane (Senegal) and Brahim Diaz (Morocco) are on the wing – one being the hero of the final, the other the villain.

All of the attackers enjoyed strong tournaments, but Amad is a glaring omission given the 23-year-old United star absolutely lit up the wing for Ivory Coast, returning three goals and one assist in four matches, winning two Man of the Match awards in the process.

From a United perspective, the prospect of Carrick being able to deploy Amad and Mazraoui as a potent right-sided pair is a tantalising one, though it remains to be seen whether the Moroccan will be included for Sunday’s trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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