With the later finalists Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt, and Morocco in one group a disappointment for one of the three was predestined.
Morocco was the best candidate for this from the start: After the departure with Zaki, his successor Troussier had just been installed foillowing the unbeaten qualifiers.
But Troussier himself did not stay until Nations Cup and an emergency solution had to be installed a few weeks before the tournament.
The Moroccans did not perform as bad as the results suggest: In the first two games they were on one level with the later finalists Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire.
In the third match against Libya their problems became evident: Morocco lacked constructive and dangerous attacking, the few opportiunities were not converted despite the presence of young star striker Chamakh.
Morocco conceded only 1 goal in three matches, through a penalty.
But - scored none.