Morocco faced yet another heartbreak in the round of 16 of the AFCON 2023, succumbing to a 0-2 defeat against South Africa on Tuesday. The Atlas Lions, once hailed as potential contenders for the title, witnessed their campaign unravel, prompting coach Walid Regragui to shoulder the responsibility for the unexpected outcome.
Anticipation was high for Morocco, especially after their impressive run to the semi-finals in the previous World Cup.
The absence of traditional powerhouses like Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia had seemingly opened a clear path for Morocco, raising hopes of a triumphant campaign.
However, South Africa emerged as a formidable hurdle, and the Atlas Lions found themselves unable to surmount it.
Coach Regragui, who had set a bold objective of reaching the last four, took a candid approach in accepting responsibility for the team’s early exit. In a post-match press conference, he acknowledged the shortcomings in intensity and efficiency, lamenting the missed opportunities that ultimately led to the defeat.
“We should have used more intensity and efficiency. We didn’t take advantage of our opportunities.
The goal brought us back into the match. We created situations for ourselves. The penalty, unfortunately, we missed it.
I hope our young players will learn. I bear the responsibility for this failure on my choices of game and players,” Regragui stated.
The coach’s remarks extended to the team’s overall performance, reflecting on missed chances and the critical penalty that Achraf Hakimi failed to convert in the 84th minute.
Regragui emphasized the challenging nature of the competition, citing injuries, absentees, and the integration of young players as contributing factors.
As speculation swirls regarding Regragui’s future with the team, he maintained transparency about potential discussions with club officials.
“Today, I failed, so we have to take responsibility. This is not the end of the world. There are a lot of big teams who also came out in this AFCON.
We have young people who have learned. And I am convinced that these young people will win an AFCON in the future,” he declared.
Morocco, once riding high on the euphoria of 2022, now confronts the reality of a challenging journey ahead, underscoring the unpredictable and competitive nature of African football.
