Assahafa.com
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, told the press on Thursday in Rabat that the Group A second-matchday clash between Morocco and Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is expected to be a balanced encounter, given the Malian team’s “wealth of talent.”
“Mali have one of the best teams in Africa and a strong desire to win. It will be a real battle. Our objective is to secure all three points and qualify for the Round of 16,” Regragui said during a press conference ahead of the match, scheduled for Friday at 9 p.m. local time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
“After our 2–0 win over Comoros in the opening match, we are now getting into the heart of the competition against a Malian side we’re very familiar with,” he added.
Regragui also warned of the challenge posed by Mali’s national team, Les Aigles (“The Eagles”). “It will be a tough game. They have strong character and technical quality. It’s a team I appreciate, capable of exploiting opportunities, which means they could leave spaces that we will try to use,” he added.
“We have been managing and shouldering the pressure for a year and a half. No match is ever won at halftime. Despite sterile possession, the opponent often ends up exhausted,” Regragui argued, noting that the squad is complete except for Roman Saïss, who is injured.
“Apart from Romain, who felt a slight muscle strain, Hamza Igamane and Achraf Hakimi, who are recovering, the group is ready. We will make the right decisions for Achraf tomorrow,” the national coach said.
Regarding the young defender Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Regragui assured that the Stade Rennais player has “enormous talent.”
“In his development, there have been ups and downs. He’s a gem for the future. I had selected him for the national team more than a year ago when he was playing for Rennes’ reserve team. Today, everyone is asking for him to be a starter. We’re going to support him,” he said.
Moreover, Regragui highlighted the role of Azzeddine Ounahi, believing that when the Girona player “is at the top of his game, Morocco becomes a great team.”
Source: map
