The Atlas Lions held their last training session on New Year’s Day before jetting off Sunday to Cameroon where they will continue preparations.

They have taken their base at the Mon Febe Hotel in Yaounde and have scheduled a series of training sessions this week.

In a turbulent week, the Atlas Lions succeeded to weather the storm and forge ahead with their training sessions.

Head coach Vahid Halilhodzic had to deal with the disappointment of losing Barcelona forward Abde Ezzalzouli who rejected the call to the Moroccan national team for Spain. He was immediately replaced by Tarik Tissoudali.

Morocco have equally had to contend with cases of COVID-19 within the squad which forced their friendly game against Cape Verde to be cancelled.

Despite the disappointments, head coach Vahid Halilhodzic has given first time opportunities to players like Azzedine Ounahi who now have the opportunity to take seize the chance.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for several months, I worked hard for it and now is the chance for me to show what I am made of. Wearing the jersey of the national team is an honour and I don’t just want to stop at wearing it but doing greater things for the team,” Ounahi said.

The Atlas Lions have one last friendly against Equatorial Guinea before taking up their base in Yaounde where they are lodged in Group C alongside the Black Stars of Ghana, Comoros and Gabon.