Ghana return to action for the first time since securing qualification to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to face Morocco.

Both sides decided to play each other after a communique was released by the Confederation of African Football to postpone the June World Cup qualifiers.

Morroco and Ghana both qualified to the AFCON and will be using this game to build up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September.

Ghana landed in Rabat on Monday and the game is expected to come off at the FAR Sportive stadium on Tuesday, June 8 at 19:00GMT.

Match preview

Although this is a friendly game, both sets of coaches will be putting their best foot forward in this game.

Morocco are managed by former Yugoslavia international Vahid Halilhodzic, with the former Ivory Coast and Algeria head coach taking over in 2019.

Morocco come into this game on a 15-game unbeaten run. 

The Atlas Lions topped their AFCON qualifying group without tasting defeat.

They have had a strong start to 2021 and have an opportunity to record 5 consecutive clean sheets for the first time in 5 years.

The Moroccans have been impressive at home striking early in half of their last six home victories. 

The Atlas Lions have won five out of their last six games scoring 10 goals.

Despite lying 15 places below Morocco, Ghana still remain a powerhouse in African football and will look to use the chance to stake a claim for themselves.

Like their upcoming opponents, Ghana topped their AFCON qualifying group.

Charles Akonnor will be taking charge of his 7th game as Black Stars coach. 

So far, he’s had two shocking defeats against Mali and Sudan.

In Ghana’s last away friendly, the Black Stars were outplayed against South Africa but still managed to salvage a draw.

In Akonnor’s seven games, the team has scored 11 goals and look prolific at times.

Although Ghana has shown signs of improvement as games go on, there is a feeling Akonnor will be judged based on how his team performs in the World Cup qualifiers and next year’s AFCON.

The head-to-head currently favors Morocco who have won three games compared to Ghana’s two - with three of the games ending in a draw.

However, Morocco have not beaten Ghana in three attempts since the turn of the century, so it would certainly demonstrate a step in the right direction should they manage to do so on Tuesday.

Morocco form: W-D-W-W-W

Ghana form: W-D-L-W-W

Team News

Morocco will hope to have Hakim Ziyech play from the start after the Chelsea winger enjoyed a rather short break following his club's triumph against Manchester City in the Champions League final last weekend.

Ziyech received a cake when he joined the Moroccan camp to celebrate his Champions League victory.

Thomas Partey and Tariqe Fosu will not be available for this game but will return for the Ivory Coast game.

Kamaldeen Suleyman, Kamal Sowah and Joseph Paintsil turned down the invitation providing reasons that confirm that they are not ready for the games.

Frank Acheampong, Richard Ofori and Mubarak Wakaso are also not in camp.

Captain Andre Ayew, who joined the team very late, traveled with the squad and is expected to play a part despite featuring for Swansea in the play off final last weekend.

Morocco Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mohamedi; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Saiss, Masina; Jabrane, Amallah; Ziyech, Munir, Barkok; En-Nesyri

Ghana Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Abalora; Yiadom, Opoku, Amartey, Rahman; Lomotey, Idrissu; Andre, Kudus, Owusu; Jordan

Morocco vs Ghana prediction

The two teams will take this game as serious as possible and should make it an eye watering clash.

Ghana is still missing out on a few key players and Akonnor will have to experiment more as Morocco have a stronger and more familiar unit.

Prediction: Morocco 3-1 Ghana