The final match of the U23 Africa Cup of Nation played last year in Rabat is being ‘replayed’ in Nantes, France as bronze medal clash.

The two African men’s football teams at the Paris 2024 football tournment, Morocco and Egypt had seen their gold medal prospects evaporated by late losses to European oppositions.

But there is no end to aspirations as both will be seeking their first ever medal in Olympic football tournament.

Both teams have been outstanding during the Paris Games, as Egypt progressed as Group C winners before reaching their first semi-final in 60 years.

Egypt will be seeking first podium finish in 60 years

 Morocco, who topped Group B, reached the knockout stages for the first time.

Following a dramatic win on penalties over 2004 silver medallists Paraguay, Egypt came close to shocking hosts France in the semi-finals, before a late Jean-Philippe Mateta goal sent the match in Lyon to extra time.

Egypt ultimately fell 3-1, but now have their sights set on a first Olympic medal coached by Brazilian Rogerio Micale, who led his country to their first gold back in 2016.

“We had a great performance. We kept France at bay for 80 minutes, which I think was superb,” Micale said after Monday’s loss.

“It hurts, but we have to keep our heads high and focus on playing for bronze. It will be very difficult, but we have to try to win. It would be a huge joy for me to win another medal for another country.

“I’m really proud to have been the manager of Brazil when they won their first football gold in Rio 2016 and now to be in a position to take Egypt to the first football medal match in history.”

Morocco continue their rise in world football having reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, where they finished fourth after knocking out heavyweights Spain and Portugal in previous rounds.

Morocco, who thrashed the United States 4-0 in the quarter-finals, pushed Spain to the limit in the semi-final in Marseille, taking a first-half lead through Soufiane Rahimi, the tournament’s leading scorer with six, who could become the first player to score in six consecutive Olympic matches.

Despite their 2-1 late defeat  by the Tokyo silver medallists, coach Tarik Sektioui took the positives from his squad’s performance.

“This was a good lesson for the young players on how to manage situations like that in the future,” Sektioui said.

“Of course, we’re very disappointed, but we have to move on from this defeat quickly because we have another match on Thursday. We still have a chance to win a medal, and we want to do just that for our country.”