National coach Walid Regragi is on the lookout for four key gains in the friendly match against Sierra Leone, scheduled for this Thursday at six in the evening in San Pedro.
This encounter serves as part of Morocco’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
This match will be the only opportunity for the national team to fine-tune their skills during the preparation period for AFCON, following the cancellation of the friendly match against Gambia.
Outlined below are the crucial gains that Walid Regragi aims to achieve in the Sierra Leone friendly:
1. Acclimatization to the Environment
Thursday’s match presents a valuable opportunity for the Moroccan national team to acclimatize to the conditions in Ivory Coast, considering the high temperatures and humidity.
Coach Walid Regragi strategically chose this moment for players to adapt to the weather in San Pedro.
2. Assessing Substitute Performance
Regragi seeks to utilize the upcoming match to assess the performance of certain substitute players who haven’t had ample opportunities in previous games, especially young talents.
This provides a comprehensive overview of all players before delving into the challenges of AFCON.
3. Testing Alternative Strategies
Walid Regragi will use this opportunity to experiment with alternative strategies that can be employed during AFCON.
This includes deploying players in different positions and testing various tactical formations in the game, providing a comprehensive understanding of the approaches to be used in the continental championship.
4. Simulating AFCON Atmosphere
The coaching staff has scheduled the Sierra Leone match to align with the timing of Morocco’s first match against Tanzania in AFCON.
This friendly serves as a simulation of the atmosphere of AFCON matches.
It will be a chance for national team players, especially those experiencing AFCON for the first time, to play in a similar environment to that of the continental tournament.
