Morocco’s young forward Ilyas Ben Sghir has admitted he underestimated the challenge of African football, describing the continent’s competitive level as tougher than he expected.
The 20-year-old, who will start in tonight’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, reflected on his journey with the national team during the pre-match press conference.
“We are proud to be in the final,” Ben Sghir said. “This is a huge moment for Morocco and our people. As a young player, seeing how much everyone wants this trophy makes you feel even more excited.”
He recalled the difficult early days of his international career, including Morocco’s defeat to South Africa two years ago. “That period was hard,” he said. “But we worked closely with our coach, and now we are fully focused on this tournament.”
Ben Sghir also highlighted the emotional toll of the competition, especially after Morocco’s dramatic semi-final victory over Nigeria. “When we beat Nigeria and I saw players like Yassine Bounou and Brahim Diaz crying, I understood how hard it is to win the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added. “That only makes the desire to win even stronger.”
He went on to acknowledge the depth of talent across the continent, praising players who are often overlooked. “I never imagined African football would be this difficult,” he said. “There are many great players who are sometimes unknown. I’ve gained a lot of experience over the last two years, and I hope I can help younger players too.”
Morocco earned their place in the final after beating Nigeria on penalties, while Senegal reached the title game with a 1-0 win over Egypt.
