Gabon v Morocco preview

Gabon will sense the chance to join co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when they go up against Morocco.

Co-hosts look to pile more misery on North African side

Gabon will sense the chance to join co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when they go up against Morocco. Central African minnows Gabon are currently top of Group C following their 2-0 victory over Niger, and a win against the Lions of the Atlas would all but guarantee their place in the last eight. Morocco, meanwhile, will be desperate for all three points as they look to keep their hopes alive of progressing past the group stages, with Eric Gerets' men having crashed to a 2-1 defeat to north African rivals Tunisia earlier this week. Gabon coach Gernot Rohr has been boosted by a fully-fit squad with which to choose from, while Stephane Nguema is also the only player in danger of picking up a suspension due to yellow cards. For Morocco, Oussama Assaidi is likely to miss out after he re-injured his Achilles ankle during their opening day defeat, while Michael Basser sustained an ankle injury and is facing a late fitness test. Another selection headache for the coach is the fact back-up goalkeeper Issam Badda is suffering from a benign form of Malaria, while Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has a fever and sat out Wednesday's training session.