"I put that aside and move forward." Souffian El Karouani has chosen resilience over bitterness to digest his non-selection for the Africa Cup of Nations. The defender refuses the status of victim and assures that his mental recovery will be rapid, preferring to let his performances on the field speak for him in the future.
Tarik Sektioui now refuses any calculation. While Morocco is waiting to know its opponent for the last four - Algeria or the United Arab Emirates - the coach imposes a clear requirement: it is necessary to beat any team to win the title. This ambition, however, clashes with the imperative of physical recovery and the uncertainty surrounding the health status of Tarik Tissoudali.
LOSC has imposed a strict omerta on the international future of its prodigy. While the behind-the-scenes battle rages between France and Morocco to secure the services of Ayyoub Bouaddi , the northern club has formally prohibited any questions on the subject to "protect" its player. A defensive strategy that contrasts with the stated ambition of the midfielder: to play in the next World Cup.
Walid Regragui has defined his strategy for the home tournament: a group of 26 players, two reserves and an assumed risk on the health status of certain elements. The coach, who has broken with the tradition of the announcement press conference, is betting on the stability of an undefeated group for nearly two years to win the title that has eluded Morocco for half a century.
Walid Regragui has made a decisive cut by excluding Imran Louza and Othmane Maamma from the final list for the African Cup of Nations. This decision, cruel for the players, turns into a providential windfall for Watford, which retains its two major assets for a decisive winter marathon.
Morocco will host Africa without its new global heroes. Walid Regragui made a decisive move on Thursday by excluding the junior world champions from his final list , preferring to rely on the backbone of the Qatar squad to challenge the Comoros, Mali and Zambia at home.
Morocco suffered but will see the last four. Dominant but long ineffective against the Syrian goalkeeper, the national team lost Tarik Tissoudali to injury before Walid Azaro delivered the team ten minutes from the end.
Morocco now knows its soldiers for the continental reconquest on its home soil. Walid Regragui has unveiled a final list marked by the resounding absence of Hakim Ziyech , the coach preferring to bet on the explosive dynamics of Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi to win the trophy.
The Atlas Lions are fighting for survival in the competition this Thursday against Syria. Having emerged as group leaders after defeating Saudi Arabia, Tarik Sektioui’s men must now eliminate an undefeated opponent to hope to reach the semi-finals.
Morocco is aiming for the semi-finals but Tarik Sektioui refuses any overconfidence. On the eve of the quarter-final against Syria, the coach demands total concentration to avoid the trap against an opponent considered solid and difficult to maneuver.
Hicham El Guerrouj has held the world record since 1998, but this supremacy is wavering. Azeddine Habz , born in Morocco and the new French record holder, is attacking this legendary time, convinced that a second and a half is a distance that can be erased through hard work.
Morocco will face Syria on Thursday in the quarter-finals, but all eyes are already on the next round. A victory for the Atlas Lions coupled with an Algerian success would provoke an inevitable Maghreb shock , turning the end of the tournament into a highly tense regional duel.