Joseph Isokpehi Reporting.
One of the African representatives at this year’s world ongoing in  Qatar, the Atlas Lions of Morocco will today, in a matter of minutes face 2018 World cup runner-up Croatia in a Group F encounter inside the magnificent 60.000 capacity  Al Bayt stadium, Al Khor, Qatar.
All eyes will be on coach Walid Regragui’s side who Parades some exciting talents even though it is not going to be an easy task against Belgium, Canada, and Croatia in Group F, as they come face to face with two of the semifinalists in 2018 when Russia hosted the world.
However, the North African side who are making their sixth appearance at the world cup with their best-ever performance in Mexico 1986, reaching the second round, can count on some world-class players to do well in Qatar and can win the first game for Africa in Qatar today.
Walid Regragui will and can turn things around for the better today, with the likes of Acharaf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, West ham United Nayef Agued and Jawad El Yamiq who play in Spain with Valladolid. There are other exciting players in the Moroccan squad like Zakaria Aboukhlal and Amine Harit of Marseille.
The team also boasts of Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech who is making a return to the national team after retiring from international football in February this year due to a fallout with former national team head coach, Vahid Halilhodzic. The playmaker is expected to lead Morocco to victory against Croatia.
Meanwhile, captain Luka Modric of Croatia says his team must put aside the memories of the 2018 world cup final ahead of their opening game against Morocco today.
The 37-year-old Real Madrid midfielder who won the 2018 Ballon d’Or, is playing his fourth world cup tournament and was also named the player of the tournament four years ago as Croatia reached their first-ever world cup final losing before losing to France 4-2 in Moscow.