فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Morocco’s national team coach, Walid Rkraki, affirmed that the Atlas Lions respect all their opponents and will approach their match against Zambia on Monday in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a clear goal of winning.
This statement came during a press conference held on Sunday ahead of the Morocco-Zambia match in Ndola, part of the eighth round of Group 5 in the African qualifiers. He said, “We play every match with the aim to win. We came to Zambia to deliver a good performance.”
He pointed out that although the match may not present a major challenge for the Moroccan team, which has already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, it offers an opportunity to give other players a chance to showcase their talents. He added, “We will not field the same lineup as in the match against Niger, but our goal remains winning.”
Rkraki emphasized that the objective is to perform well despite some players experiencing fatigue, saying, “We must manage all conditions.” He also noted that changing the lineup is part of a strategy to avoid revealing all their cards and to allow new players to prove their worth.
The coach spoke about his good knowledge of the Zambian team, stressing that Zambia must prove its merit and maintain its position in African football. He highlighted that player changes will be important but sees this as positive so that Zambia has no direct point of comparison with Morocco.
Rkraki concluded by emphasizing the importance of early qualification for the 2026 World Cup and maintaining positive momentum. He noted that the current focus is on the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, considering the Zambia game a good test for that tournament.
He also stressed the heavy responsibility in selecting the final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, saying, “We are fully aware of this responsibility, and there is no room for error in player selection.”
Morocco secured its place in the 2026 World Cup last Friday evening after a resounding 5-0 victory over Niger, continuing to top the group with 18 points from six wins in six matches, far ahead of the other teams. Morocco will be making its seventh appearance at the World Cup finals and the third consecutive one, having previously participated in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, and 2022.
