Morocco cruise past Tanzania, coach Regragui praises team spirit
Dar es Salaam. Morocco kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tanzania in Group F on Wednesday, leaving coach Walid Regragui pleased with his team's performance.
Despite the challenging conditions and a determined Tanzanian side, the Atlas Lions managed to secure an important win.
"First games are always tough, especially with the humidity, but we respected Tanzania," Regragui acknowledged after the match. "Our team spirit was excellent, and we're happy with the result."
Morocco stuck to their gameplan, eventually breaking through with a set-piece goal. "We aimed to score early and had opportunities, but the goal came from a free-kick," explained Regragui. "Once we had the lead, we controlled the game well."
The Atlas Lions exhibited tactical flexibility, adapting to the flow of the match. "In the second half, we were comfortable not having the ball, managing the game like a mature team," Regragui noted.
Playing later in the tournament also proved advantageous for Morocco. "Watching other teams play helped us avoid their mistakes," said Regragui. "We saw many sides struggle physically in the second half, so we focused on staying fresh."
With their next match against DR Congo on January 21st, Regragui hopes his team can maintain their momentum. "We have a talented squad, and it's important to keep the intensity high," he emphasized.
The clean sheet and injury-free performance of key players like Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat further bolsters Morocco's position in Group F. Their confident start suggests they are well-equipped to roar their way to the knockout stages in Cote d'Ivoire.
