2025 Arab Cup: We faced setbacks before Comoros game – Morocco coach Tariq Sektioui

Morocco head coach Tariq Sektioui has admitted his side encountered several setbacks ahead of their opening fixture at the 2025 Arab Cup, despite beginning their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Comoros.

The North Africans wrapped up the result with three goals in the first half, yet Sektioui revealed that the build-up to the game was far from smooth.

He explained that the team faced unexpected logistical and injury concerns that disrupted their preparation.

“It is my habit not to delve into some of the details that accompany matches, and I do not look for excuses at all for any failure, even though we did not fail and we won a difficult match, but what preceded the Comoros match was somewhat frustrating.”

Sektioui detailed how the squad was delayed en route to the stadium, spending nearly an hour on the team bus and arriving just before kickoff — leaving no time for warm-ups.

To compound matters, the coach disclosed that winger Hamza Hanouri suffered an injury shortly before the match and will play no further part in the competition, joining an already lengthy injury list.

“We were stuck on the bus for about an hour and only made it to the stadium a little before kickoff, which meant we missed the opportunity to do our warm-up. Just before the match, we received very bad news, which was the injury of Hamza Hanouri, another player who will unfortunately not continue with us in this experience, and he has joined a long list of injured players.”

Morocco return to action on Friday, December 5, when they take on Oman in their second group match.