The premature exit of the "Lion Cubs of the Atlas" against Senegal on Thursday has sparked a wave of indignation. At the heart of the storm: Portuguese coach Tiago Lima Pereira, whose tactical failure reignites the debate over local expertise.
After resigning from his position in Morocco, coach Tarik Sektioui has been appointed as the head coach of Oman. This hasty departure seems to be dictated by his disappointment at seeing Mohamed Ouahbi preferred to lead the national team.
National coach Tarik Sektioui is said to have officially submitted his resignation to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation . This sudden departure comes even though his contract was supposed to end at the end of the current sports season.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is reorganizing its youth selections. Frenchman Ludovic Batelli takes over the under-20s, while Tarik Sektioui is appointed coach of the Olympic team.
Amid the possible departure of Walid Regragui , the Moroccan Football Federation is weighing Mohamed Ouahbi against Tarik Sektioui. These two coaches, whose profiles complement each other, represent the best options for ensuring the continuity of the national team’s technical project ahead of the March deadline.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation denied on Thursday rumors about the appointment of a new coach for the Atlas Lions. The body assured that it would inform the public of any official news in due course.
The Moroccan Football Federation will meet on Thursday to decide Walid Regragui’s fate . While the body officially denies any departure, internal sources claim that an amicable separation agreement has already been reached.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation and Walid Regragui have reportedly ended their collaboration by mutual consent. His departure comes just months before the 2026 World Cup, marking the end of the historic cycle that culminated in the semifinal in Qatar.
The Arab Cup final will be remembered for the Moroccan triumph, but also for a less glorious image. During the official ceremony in Doha, several Jordanian players ostentatiously ignored the outstretched hand of Moroccan coach Tarik Sektioui, an unsportsmanlike attitude that has inflamed social media.
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.
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.