فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat – Special Report | National coach Walid Regragui confirmed that the Moroccan national team is entering the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a new mindset and a singular motto: “Humility.” He emphasized that tomorrow’s clash against Tanzania marks the beginning of a completely different tournament, where there is no room for error in knockout matches.
Respecting the Opponent and Avoiding the “Favorites” Trap
In a press conference characterized by realism, Regragui clarified that being the heavy favorites does not guarantee victory. He stated: “We must keep our feet on the ground. Tanzania is a team that has developed significantly, and we respect them deeply. In the past, we were eliminated by teams that appeared technically inferior because we lacked humility at certain moments. We will not fall into that trap tomorrow”.
Squad Readiness and the Return of Key Players
The press conference brought good news for Moroccan fans. Regragui confirmed that star player Achraf Hakimi is fully fit and ready to participate after a complete recovery. He noted that the decision to rest him in previous matches was a precaution to ensure his 100% return. He also praised the significant development in Brahim Diaz’s performance, confirming that he has fully adapted to the specifics of African football and has become more effective near the penalty area.
The Penalty Shootout Scenario
Regarding the possibility of the match going into extra time or penalty shootouts, Regragui reassured the public: “We are training for all scenarios, including the ‘lottery’ of penalties. We have the best goalkeeper in the world (Yassine Bounou), who is a source of strength and gives us confidence in such situations. However, we will do our utmost to settle the game within original time”.
A Message to the Moroccan Fans
The national coach concluded by thanking the fans who answered the call in recent matches. He emphasized that their support at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca will be the “12th player,” providing the Atlas Lions with the necessary strength to overcome the Tanzanian obstacle and advance to the quarter-finals.
