Explained: Why Morocco is the team to beat in Africa

Achraf Hakimi made history with Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

FOOTBALL Explained: Why Morocco is the team to beat in Africa

Kiplagat Sang 09:26 - 17.06.2023

The North Africans put themselves in the global limelight during the last World Cup finals.

Former Wydad Casablanca head coach Walid Regragui has explained why Morocco is the team to beat in Africa.

The Atlas Lions are ranked first in Africa, and this has always attracted pressure and been a highlight for them. They are also the first African country to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup competition after doing so in the 2022 Qatar finals.

"Everyone wants to beat Morocco now," Regragui told the media.

"The team has done well over the last few years, and what I have also learned is that every team wants to beat us, which makes it more difficult for us to win.  This also helps us to improve, so we welcome it."

After their impressive performance in Qatar, the North Africans have already qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals and will face South Africa in a group qualifier on Saturday.

Bafana Bafana have also booked their place in the finals to be held in Ivory Coast.

"They have a lot of good players from Sundowns who play good offensive football, but this means we also need to play and show that we are a big team in Africa," he added.

Meanwhile, midfielder Ilias Chair explained what has made them a force to be reckoned with in the football world.

"It's important for us to create a big family, and the coach has emphasized this to us," the England-based midfielder said. "That is why we are strong as a group, and you saw the fruits of that in the World Cup.

"What is important for us to also prepare mentally because we know that these kinds of games are tough, and we saw in the analysis that South Africa is a good team and is not to be taken for granted."

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