Akhannouch to Lekjaa: ‘We’re Still Waiting’ on AFCON Promises

Rabat – Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch has directed pointed remarks at Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa over previous promises concerning the country’s national football teams.

Speaking during a National Rally of Independents (RNI) meeting in Mediouna Province on Thursday, Akhannouch questioned commitments related to winning the Africa Cup of Nations and reaching the FIFA World Cup final.

“Promises are not saying three times that you are going to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and then there is nothing,” Akhannouch said.

Turning to the men’s national team, he added: “Promises are not saying you’re going to win the Africa Cup of Nations while we are still waiting.”

Akhannouch also referred to expectations surrounding Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

“Promises are not saying that we have a team that will reach the World Cup final, when the team before it had already reached the semi-finals,” he said, before concluding with a direct message: “Don’t make promises.”

Morocco fell short of recent sporting targets

Akhannouch’s remarks come after Morocco narrowly missed several major objectives in recent international competitions.

The Atlas Lionesses entered the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after finishing runners-up in both 2022 and 2024. Their latest attempt ended in the semi-finals, where Cameroon eliminated Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a goalless draw in Rabat. Morocco then lost the third-place playoff to Algeria on penalties.

The men’s AFCON situation remains more complicated. Morocco lost 1-0 to Senegal after extra time in the January 2026 final, but CAF’s Appeal Board later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match and recorded Morocco as 3-0 winners. Senegal appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a hearing scheduled for October 8 and no final CAS ruling yet issued.

At the 2026 World Cup, Morocco reached the quarter-finals before losing 2-0 to France. The result meant the Atlas Lions were unable to match their historic 2022 campaign, when they became the first African and Arab national team to reach a World Cup semi-final.

The exchange also comes during renewed discussion over Morocco’s football ambitions. Earlier on Thursday, Lekjaa said Benslimane would host the 2030 World Cup final, although FIFA has not officially selected the venue and says the decision remains pending. Morocco is co-hosting the tournament with Spain and Portugal.