Rabat, June 23 -- There was a flair of diminished confidence and unattended doubts as Morocco took on Namibia's in the opening game of Group D. For a team that has been repeatedly hailed for its enormous reserve of talented players but dismally failed to captivate in its latest displays, this was the opportunity for the Moroccan Lions to register a successful entry into this year's Afcon.

Perhaps that is why the Moroccan Lions immediately went for possession and bold dominance right at kick off, passing deep into the Namibian half, connecting the vivacity on the flanks with the creativity in the middle. Or at least so they tried, with Hakim Ziyech, the team's professed creative mind one of the continent's most gifted players, touching mo...