CAN 2022: Moroccans, united to go far
Moroccans Nayef Aguerd, Sofiane Boufal and Azzedine Ounahi, January 10, 2022 against Ghana.
© Pierre RENÉ-WORMS/RFI
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
3 mins
Victorious over Ghana for their entry into the running (1-0), the Atlas Lions intend to confirm their intentions in this African Cup of Nations against the Comoros, their opponents on Friday January 14 (group C).
Faced with the Black Stars, the selection of Morocco has displayed all its cohesion, which is part of its strategy.
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From our special correspondent in Yaoundé,
For Vahid Halilhodzic, Morocco obtained "
a very good victory
" on January 10 against Ghana.
Footballistically, the meeting was not really tasty.
But the coach and his players wanted above all to win for their debut in this
CAN in Cameroon
.
The way, she will perhaps follow later, they hope for this second match against the Comoros.
“Coach Vahid” is satisfied.
"
I told the players that I am proud of them
," he assured at a press conference.
"Difficult to hold back his joy"
The Atlas Lions, on the field and on the bench, did not hesitate to rush at their coach, until they knocked him down, when celebrating Sofiane Boufal's victorious goal in the 83rd minute. A communion far from having gone unnoticed. Faycal Fajr, the Moroccan midfielder, was warming up at the sidelines. And as he admitted, it was "
difficult to contain his joy
" when the Angevin cheated on Joe Wollacott.
“
We all work together in training and outside to create this group cohesion.
We know that to go far in these competitions, you need a group.
And when I say 'group', it's everyone: the players who play and those who are on the side.
And at the end, we express our joy
, ”explained Faycal Fajr.
Moroccan striker Sofiane Boufal is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the one and only goal of the match.
© RFI/Pierre René-Worms
"Without an exceptional human relationship, you cannot do much"
The Sivasspor midfielder is on the same wavelength as Vahid Halilhodzic. The coach commented on this scene of jubilation: "A
lot of things happen on a human level, on a social level... When you play CAN, if there is not this exceptional human relationship, you cannot do much.
The technician, who previously led the selections of Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria among others, had the added pleasure of seeing Sofiane Boufal prove him right. He had told him: “
You are the one who will win us this match.
"
The three points taken give Morocco a good start before facing the Comorian novice, beaten for his part by Gabon on the first day.
And if there was joy in the face of Ghana, it has already given way to re-concentration.
“
It's at the time, it's normal.
But we must continue.
Now we are resting our heads and getting back to work
, ”warned Faycal Fajr, already focused on Morocco-Comoros.
CAN 2022: schedule and match results
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