The Atlas Lions will show that they are still the best in Africa during the match against Bafana Bafana, scheduled for this Saturday in the framework of the 5th day of Group K qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (Ivory Coast-2023), national coach Walid Regragui said on Friday in Johannesburg.
“We have to show, once again in this match, that we are the best team in the continent,” Mr. Regragui said in a press conference held the day before the match which will take place at the Soccer City Stadium, in Johannesburg.
Stressing that the Bafana Bafana are a good team with talented players, especially in attack, he noted that the next game will not be easy for the two squads, even if they have already secured their place in the AFCON.
“AFCON is one of the big and toughest competitions that we have to prepare well for. The match against the South African team will undoubtedly help us to perform better in this great tournament,” he added.
Referring to the physical preparation of Moroccan players, Mr. Regragui recalled that some were injured like Ounahi, while others are tired after participating in the European championships, like Soufiane Amrabat who will not play Saturday’s match.
In addition, the Moroccan coach reported that some players have been selected to play in the U23 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for this month in Morocco.
For his part, the midfielder, Ilias Chair, said he was very happy to represent Morocco in South Africa, stressing that the players are determined to fight for the national jersey and continue in the same spirit of the World Cup in Qatar.
“We are mentally ready and we know our South African opponent well who has a lot of experience on the continental level,” he added.
The Moroccan squad had won, officially, last March, its ticket for the final phase of the AFCON after the draw (2-2) between South Africa and Liberia on behalf of Group K. Morocco thus points at the head of this group with 6 units.
The national team had beaten South Africa (2-1) and Liberia (2-0), during the two previous days of this group which has only three teams, after the suspension of Zimbabwe by the International Federation of football (FIFA).
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse