Romain Saïss confirmed that Morocco have already turned their attention to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after securing a narrow 1-0 win over Tanzania in the round of 16 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The Atlas Lions captain described a demanding encounter against a disciplined and well-drilled Tanzanian side, underlining the importance of patience and control throughout the match.
Speaking to the press after the game, Saïss acknowledged the challenges his team faced and praised their ability to manage difficult moments.
“The match against Tanzania proved complicated against a good and well-organised team that defended well,” Saïss said.
He pointed to the team’s calm approach during different phases of the contest and admitted that the performance lacked complete fluency.
“The Tanzanian players caused us many problems,” he added. “But we stayed patient, even when everything did not work perfectly.
The most important thing remains qualification for the quarter-finals.”
Saïss stressed that the Africa Cup of Nations allows no room for complacency, especially once the tournament reaches the knockout stage.
He insisted that every opponent demands full respect and total focus.
“In the Africa Cup of Nations, no easy matches exist, particularly in knockout football,” he explained.
“We take this qualification, then we look at what did not work and correct it for the next match.”
The defender also addressed the injury suffered by Azzedine Ounahi, confirming that the midfielder picked up the problem on Saturday.
Saïss described the setback as difficult for both the player and the squad, noting the physical strain caused by the tight match schedule.
“Ounahi got injured yesterday,” Saïss said. “That situation hurts him and all of us. In this competition, matches come very close together, and recovery becomes very hard.”
Despite the concern, Saïss underlined the importance of unity within the group and called for collective support around the injured midfielder.
He stressed that encouragement from teammates remains essential during the recovery process.
“The most important thing involves staying with him and supporting him as he recovers,” he concluded.
Morocco now prepare for the quarter-finals with confidence grounded in resilience rather than spectacle.
The narrow victory over Tanzania highlighted the fine margins of AFCON 2025, while Ounahi’s injury added another challenge for the Atlas Lions as they aim to push deeper into the tournament.
