Morocco’s campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) got off to a confident start with a 3-0 victory over Tanzania, and coach Walid Regragui couldn’t be happier. The experienced coach expressed his satisfaction after navigating a tricky opener, highlighting the challenges posed by the humidity in Wednesday’s Group F clash.
“First matches are always difficult, and the humidity made this one tough, but we respected Tanzania,” commented Regragui in the post-match press conference. He emphasized the positive spirit within the team, acknowledging the importance of securing a significant win in their opening match.
Reflecting on the game plan against a resilient Tanzanian side, Regragui stated, “We wanted to score early and had chances, but the goal finally came from a set piece. Once we scored, that was the hard part done.” The coach praised the team’s execution, especially in managing the game after taking the lead.
“At times in the second half, we accepted not having the ball and managed the game like a great team,” added Regragui, highlighting the team’s tactical awareness and ability to control the pace when necessary.
Morocco’s strategic advantage of playing after other teams in the tournament didn’t go unnoticed. “Seeing their first matches allowed us to avoid the same mistakes. We noticed many sides declined physically in the second half, so we prepared to stay fresh,” explained the coach, emphasizing the importance of learning from others’ experiences.
Looking ahead, Morocco is set to face DR Congo on January 21st in their second group game. After a composed start, Regragui will hope his talented side can maintain intensity throughout the tournament. With key players like Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat emerging unscathed from the opener, Morocco appears well-prepared to progress in Cote d’Ivoire.
Sportribune.com
