Morocco’s Regragui sticks with Ziyech, makes 11th hour Cchanges against Congo

Morocco’s national football team, the Atlas Lions, under the guidance of coach Walid Regragui, gears up to face Congo in a crucial encounter for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The match, slated for Tuesday evening in Agadir with a kick-off at 7 p.m. GMT, sees Regragui making strategic adjustments to the starting lineup following their recent victory against Zambia.

In a bid to optimize the team’s performance, Regragui implements three changes to the lineup compared to their previous successful outing against Zambia, where they secured a 2-1 win.

In defense, the absence of Romain Saïss due to injury sees young talent Chadi Riad stepping in.

Moving up the pitch, Sofyan Amrabat returns to the midfield, replacing the possibly injured Oussama El Azzouzi. Additionally, in the forward line, Youssef En-Nesyri yields his position to Ayoub El Kaabi.

Speculation arose regarding En-Nesyri’s absence from the starting lineup, especially after his display of frustration during his substitution in the previous match.

However, Regragui dispelled any notions of punishment, emphasizing that the incident was resolved internally.

Furthermore, the decision to retain Hakim Ziyech in the starting eleven despite similar circumstances underscores Regragui’s commitment to fielding a formidable lineup.

Ziyech, who faced criticism on social media following his substitution, receives a vote of confidence from Regragui, who acknowledges the player’s importance to the team’s strategy.

By maintaining Ziyech in the starting lineup, Regragui sends a clear message of support and unity within the squad.

As the Atlas Lions brace themselves for the challenge posed by Congo, Regragui’s calculated adjustments aim to optimize the team’s performance and secure another vital victory in their quest for World Cup qualification.

With the spotlight on the pitch, Morocco’s footballing prowess takes center stage as they strive for success on the international stage.