Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) engaged in a fierce battle on the football pitch during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but the real drama unfolded after the final whistle, as a heated altercation erupted between the two teams, spilling into the locker room.
The encounter was a significant test for Morocco, the semi-finalist of the last World Cup, seeking to solidify its position in the ongoing AFCON tournament.
Despite dominating Tanzania in a previous match, the Atlas Lions faced formidable opposition from a resilient Congolese side.
The challenging conditions, with the match played at 2 p.m. in 35-degree heat, intensified both the physical and mental aspects of the game.
Tensions reached a boiling point after an on-field altercation between Chancel Mbemba and Walid Regragui.
The dispute escalated when the Moroccan coach criticized the Olympique de Marseille defender for what he perceived as a lack of respect during a handshake.
Mbemba, already visibly tense throughout the match, reacted strongly, triggering a confrontation between the two teams at the final whistle.
The heated exchange extended to the corridors of the Laurent Pokou stadium, with visuals capturing players from both sides rushing to separate certain individuals involved in the scuffle.
Subsequently, a press conference was awaited for explanations.
Walid Regragui, appearing composed and less tense than at the end of the match, took the opportunity to clarify the situation.
“I have nothing to say about that. I have a lot of respect for Chancel Mbemba. Maybe it was the adrenaline that made him respond like that.
There’s no problem. We did not give a good image, neither us nor the DRC. This is what I regret. With the heat, the tension increased. There is no problem,” said Regragui.
Sébastien Desabre, the coach of the DRC, echoed a similar sentiment, downplaying the incident.
“These are matches, we should not complain about having matches like that at the AFCON. It’s very hot, at one point… on the bench, we’re already tired, so the players… Mbemba is someone extraordinary.
There was a bit of frustration on both sides. We shouldn’t even mention these points.
We are in the professional football community. These are men’s matches so it’s normal. That’s what’s beautiful.
There were tensions, it went down again; we wish Morocco a lot of luck for the future,” explained Desabre.
While the altercation provided a dramatic end to the match, both coaches emphasized the need to move forward.
Walid Regragui acknowledged shortcomings in Morocco’s performance, expressing a commitment to improvement.
“We lost a lot of energy, but we will improve a lot with this match. We were not able to manage it as I hoped,” he said.
The coach’s candid assessment extended to his decision-making during the game, accepting responsibility for the drawn result.
Despite the challenges, Regragui remains focused on the upcoming match against Zambia, emphasizing that Morocco has its destiny in its own hands.
The DRC, having played a commendable role, stands in contention for qualification in the group.
The incident underscores the intensity of competition in the AFCON tournament, offering a glimpse into the passion and unpredictability of football at the highest level.
The tournament continues to deliver thrilling moments as teams navigate their paths toward success.
🚨 Énorme bagarre sur le terrain puis dans le couloir entre les deux équipes.
Scène complètement surréaliste où les deux équipes courent vers le couloir. #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/xulu0ljhNG
— Hanif Ben Berkane (@HanifBerkane) January 21, 2024
