Morocco's Mazraoui Plays Every Minute to AFCON Final

When your team needs you most, showing up for every single minute matters more than highlight reels.

Noussair Mazraoui did exactly that for Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, playing nearly every second of their journey to the final. The 28-year-old Manchester United defender featured in all 410 minutes across six matches, helping Morocco build the tournament's best defensive record.

His most impressive performance came in the semifinal against Nigeria, a team that had scored 14 goals and entered unbeaten. Mazraoui played the full 120 minutes of a tense scoreless draw that went to penalties, winning 13 of 18 duels and making four tackles, one interception, and six clearances while keeping stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman quiet.

What made his tournament remarkable was the versatility he showed. Though naturally a right-back, Mazraoui played most matches on the left side, never missing a beat. He defended with discipline near his own penalty area while pushing forward to create attacking chances, completing passes at 83% accuracy against Nigeria.

Morocco's defensive numbers tell the story of collective excellence. The Atlas Lions conceded just once in the group stage and kept clean sheets throughout the knockout rounds. Mazraoui formed a formidable partnership with Achraf Hakimi on the opposite flank, with both fullbacks stretching opposition defenses while maintaining their defensive responsibilities.

The Bright Side: Mazraoui's journey reflects years of steady growth rather than overnight success. He joined Ajax's academy at age seven and worked his way up through three Eredivisie titles, a move to Bayern Munich where he won the Bundesliga, and finally to Manchester United. His 28 international caps include Morocco's historic 2022 World Cup semifinal run, showing he delivers when stakes are highest.

His playing style embodies modern football at its best. Mazraoui combines technical skill with physical resilience, offering his team stability at the back and creativity going forward. Analysts praised his ability to frustrate attackers in one-on-one situations while contributing key passes that kept Morocco's attack flowing.

Morocco faces Senegal in the final on January 18 in Rabat, seeking their first African title since 1976. With Mazraoui anchoring the defense, they've already proven they can shut down anyone.