Halilhodzic's side were not at their best and are already preparing for the matches against South Africa and Liberia

Bono y Achraf no pueden con Estados Unidos en la previa a la Copa de África

photo_camera AFP/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD - Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi

Morocco travelled to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati (Ohio, USA) to face the United States as part of a One Nation initiative organised by the country's football federation to support the LGTBI community. Only the American players supported this initiative with the rainbow colours on their jersey numbers.

Bono and Achraf were the most quality players in Halilhodzic's starting eleven, who in the 65th minute gave way to En-Nesyri. The Atlas Lions' offensives came from the Chelsea player's flank, but they were unsuccessful in attack.

Morocco could do nothing against the American potential, who scored the first goal in the 26th minute through Aaronson from Pulisic's pass, the second in the 32nd minute through Weah - son of George Weah - and the third in the 64th minute through Wright.

In the 77th minute, Liege midfielder Selim Amallah could have pulled one back with a penalty, but the ball hit the crossbar.

AFP/JAVIER SORIANO - El portero marroquí Yassine Bouno, conocido como Bono

The Moroccan squad has to choose the players for the World Cup in Qatar next December in matches such as this friendly against the United States and the next two official matches.

As the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers get underway, Morocco will face two important tests. The first will be against South Africa on 9 June and the second against Liberia on 13 June.

These will be the last matches before the players' holidays and, perhaps, before the World Cup because for the moment nothing is scheduled before the match against Croatia on 23 November at the Al-Khor stadium in Qatar. Then come the group matches against Belgium and Canada on 27 November and 1 December respectively.

Morocco have high hopes of making a good impression at the World Cup in Qatar because they have a squad with a number of important players in their European leagues such as Bono, Achraf, En-Nesyri and Munir, as well as Ziyech.

The Chelsea player has said that he does not intend to play for Morocco again and Halilhodzic has been ordered by the Federation to make peace with the player so that he can go to the World Cup.

Halilhodzic has improved Morocco's level in his years as coach, but in recent tournaments they have failed to lift the title despite reaching the final. They lost the African Cup on penalties to Egypt and the Arab Cup, also on penalties, to Algeria.

In the coming months, the aim is to unite the best possible team, forget the quarrels, and perform at a good level in Qatar.

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