Walid Regragui: Morocco must stay confident after narrow win over Mozambique

Walid Regragui insisted on Friday that Morocco must maintain confidence in their squad after the national team secured a 1-0 friendly victory over Mozambique at the Grand Stade de Tanger.

The Atlas Lions took the lead in the seventh minute through midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, and the team controlled the match from start to finish.

Regragui highlighted that Yassine Bounou remained largely untested, while Mozambique created no significant scoring chances.

He expressed some frustration at missed opportunities, including a penalty that could have extended Morocco’s lead.

The coach emphasised the strategic value of the match, describing it as an opportunity to test different formations and player positions while retaining the core structure of the team.

“Today, we have many weapons and different ways of playing,” he said, pointing out the squad’s versatility in attack and defensive organisation.

Regragui underlined Morocco’s focus on ball control, exploiting openings in the opposition’s defense, and maintaining efficiency in attack.

He noted that even against teams employing deep defensive blocks, Morocco consistently finds ways to score and secure results.

“We may not always score many goals despite the opportunities, but we know how to manage each game, and that’s what has allowed us to string together 17 consecutive victories,” he added.

The coach also praised the support of the public, highlighting how fan encouragement has helped teams like the U17 national squad overcome challenging situations.

He singled out performances from Ghanem Saïss, Azeddine Ounahi, Hamza Igamane, and Anass Salah-Eddine, who made his national team debut.

Regarding the injuries to Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd, Regragui expressed full confidence in the defensive unit.

“I am confident in the solidity of our back line, and I have full confidence in the players,” he stated, reaffirming the team’s resilience despite absences in key positions.

The victory in front of around 61,000 spectators keeps Morocco’s momentum intact as they prepare for upcoming matches, demonstrating both their tactical depth and mental strength.