Mazraoui: I can handle the pressure

The Atlas Lions are staging the tournament and, on the back of their excellent showing at the last World Cup finals, and flawless qualifying campaign for next year's event in the United States, Mexico and Canada, many fancy the hosts to go all the way and be crowned kings of their continent come 18 January.

However, Morocco have not won the trophy since 1976, surprisingly the only time they have triumphed in the tournament, considering their impressive pedigree.

Mazraoui was forced to miss the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday, as his country insisted he linked up with the squad ahead of the opener on Sunday, against Comoros.

Speaking to club media head of participating in AFCON and at the World Cup finals, it was clear that the versatile 28-year-old is excited to perform on such a stage again.

"I can't wait, to be honest," he admitted. "I'm really looking forward to those two big tournaments, especially because the AFCON is in our country. Yeah, this is the moment to really, really shine and everybody expects us to do some great things there.

"And the World Cup, of course, that's always something special but, especially, after what we did at the last World Cup, it makes it even that people don't see us anymore as just, I don't know how you say, but like a dark horse, so, yeah, it's something beautiful because now people and teams are going to respect you.

"I'm really looking forward to both tournaments."

There will be intense pressure on the hosts to meet the expectations but the quality at coach Walid Regragui's disposal is outstanding, as his 28-man squad testifies.

Paris Saint-Germain powerhouse Achraf Hakimi may not be fit enough for the opening matches but the group also includes the likes of Yassine Bounou, Brahim Diaz and former Red Sofyan Amrabat. 

Mazraoui knows he has the temperament to handle such a situation, given his experience.

"Like I said, it's a long while since we won an AFCON and I think the last one was maybe [over] 40 years ago," added Mazraoui. "If not even longer than that.

"Like I said, we have a great team at this moment, and a great group of players, we did great in the World Cup of course. We improved even more. I think we are on the right path and, eventually, all those qualification games are nice. To win those, I don't know how many different games back to back, I don't know how many games now, but, in the end, the results in a big tournament like this are what counts.

"[I'm composed on the pitch] because I've been in a lot of situations where the pressure was immense. So I think having a lot of those kind of moments makes me, I don't want to really say pressure-proof, but to really know what to do when the pressure is really on.

"So yeah, that's why I think, when I'm under pressure, I'm still calm. I can still do what everybody tells us with no pressure." 

"We have quite some players who are really experienced," he added. "You have me, Hakimi, Bounou, of course. In midfield, you have Amrabat, who is there. We have [Nayef] Aguerd. A lot of players how are used to a lot of pressure.

"We have some young guys with a lot of energy who we know and know how important it is. And they are really happy to be with the national team and that's what you see as well.

"So, yeah, I think we have really the right balance. Brahim Diaz is there, of course, as well. We have top quality in this moment."

The future looks bright for the North African too, with their Under-20s winning the World Cup at that level recently, beating Argentina in the final.

"Yeah, that's top and a really great job from them," Nous said, appreciating the achievement. I'm really proud of them and it says enough that we are really improving our football back there in Morocco."