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Moroccan Mbark Boussoufa. REUTERS / Suhaib Salem

The Morocco team beat Namibia narrowly (1-0), June 23 in Cairo, in group D of the 2019 African Cup of Nations. A narrow success that is enough to satisfy Moroccans, meanwhile their next match against Ivory Coast.

From our special envoy in Cairo,

" We knew the match was going to be tough. We had seen at previous matches in this CAN. There is really no easy meeting this year. Midfielder Mehdi Bourabia is off the hook after Morocco's narrow success against Namibia on June 23 in Cairo in Group D of the 2019 African Cup of Nations. victory in the 89th minute , following a goal by Itamunua Keimuine.

" It has not been easy for us even if we are Morocco and we have a good team ," said midfielder Mbark Boussoufa. Look at Nigeria and Egypt. Of course, they played well, but it was not easy for them either . "

And now, Ivory Coast

Hervé Renard, the coach of the "Atlas Lions", is not alarmed either. " Facing Namibia, it was very hot and it was hard to put rhythm , analyzes the man with the white shirt. In this kind of match, you have to score faster. We did not know how to do it. That's what penalized us but we persevered . "

► Also read: CAN 2019: Hardworking but victorious Morocco against Namibia

Hervé Renard's assistant, Patrice Beaumelle, confirms: " We had the monopoly of the ball and the control of the game. But most importantly, it is the 3 points in this competition that will be long and hard. We really have to congratulate the boys because it was not easy to go for a victory today against a beautiful team from Namibia, regrouped and leaving few spaces. Hervé Renard's other assistant, Mustapha Haji, said: " We still lacked a little bit of confidence. Today, it has been acquired. I think that in the next match, we will be able to play and play our real football. "

► Also read: CAN 2019: Calendar, results and standings of the Africa Cup

Against Côte d'Ivoire, June 28 in Cairo, it will be a different story. But Moroccans will this time in known territory. " It will be difficult, as always , said midfielder Youssef Ait Bennasser. It has been several times that we meet them, whether in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup or in the African Cup. We know how Ivorians play . Patrice Beaumelle concludes: " It's going to be a big game, in a way the final of this group. "